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Heart Disease
…a disabling yet preventable condition
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| FAST
FACTS |
- Heart disease
is a disorder that affects the heart muscle or the blood
vessels of the heart.
- Heart disease
includes:
- myocardial infarction also known as heart attack.
- angina pectoris, a pain, heaviness, pressure, or discomfort
in the chest.
- heart rhythm disorder.
- congestive heart failure, which is often the end-stage
of heart disease.
- The elderly
have a higher rate of heart disease than any other age group.
- Seniors with
heart disease are much more likely to be limited in their
daily activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, using
the toilet, and walking than are seniors without heart disease.
- 2 out of 3
people age 70 and older with heart disease need assistance
with activities of daily living.
- Among those
70 or older, people with heart disease are more likely to
use prescription drugs and require services such as nursing,
social worker, adult day care, rehabilitation, transportation,
or Meals on Wheels.
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| WHAT
TO DO |
- Center activities
focus on education about lifestyle change that can reduce
the risk of heart disease. Healthy lifestyle behaviors include:
- Weight control
- Not smoking
- Sensible alcohol use (about 1 drink per day)
- Regular exercise
- A low-fat, high-fiber diet
- Educational
content should include warning signs and when to seek medical
help.
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| WHERE
TO GO |
- Contact your region's
American Heart Association for speakers. They will address a
variety of topics including healthy heart and healthy nutrition.
- Contact the American
Heart Association of Cleveland Metro:
(216) 791-7500
WEB LINKS
Here
is a printable brochure
(High Cholesterol)
Click here for a printable
brochure
(Low Salt Plan)
| Heart
Disease… A leading cause of disability
Chronic
conditions are a major cause of illness, disability,
and death in the United States. The growth of the number
of elders - as baby boomers age and people live longer
- will increase the number of people who are most vulnerable
to and most affected by chronic conditions. Conditions
that are most common among elders require more care,
are more disabling, and are more difficult and costly
to treat.
What
are chronic conditions?
Chronic conditions have persistent or recurring
health consequences lasting for years. They are illnesses
or impairments that cannot be cured. They cause significant
limitations in people's ability to perform certain basic
activities of daily living. In addition to medical services,
people who have chronic conditions often need personal,
social, or rehabilitative care over a prolonged period
of time.
From:
Summer, L. Shirley, L. and O'Neill, G. Challenges for
the 21st century: Chronic and disabling conditions.
National Academy on Aging Society, Washington, DC; November,
1999 (1). |
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here for free download 
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