One month after your New Year’s resolutions, how are things going? Here’s a better question: How would you like a do-over?
This is your big chance to refocus because February comes with a built-in idea to make things better for you. If you’re over the age of 55, living in retirement communities, assisted living communities or assisted living facilities, or even senior apartments, “American Heart Month” is for you.
The U.S. marks February as “American Heart Month” every year. It’s part of the Million Hearts® initiative. This year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has a campaign called “Start Small. Live Big.”
The idea behind the campaign is to let you know that you can live a healthier life with small steps. Whether you’ve kept up with your New Year’s resolutions, or have let them slide, some small steps can make a big difference in your overall health, particularly your cardiovascular health.
The biggest risks
Do you know the top risks for heart disease and stroke? They include ones that you may know such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, which often don’t have any symptoms. The top three risks for heart disease and stroke are obesity, physical inactivity and high blood pressure. Another risk is smoking.
Controlling the risks of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking and obesity can lower your risk of a heart attack or stroke by more than 80%. Which tells you that you can make a difference in your quality of life by taking control of how you live.
This is where American Heart Month comes in. About half of all Americans make New Year’s resolutions, but only about 8% of them stick to them for the year.
But we’re talking about your health. And we’re also talking about things that you can easily do to make sure you have a healthy heart and a good quality of life.
Have a plan
The first thing you can do is talk to your doctor. Come up with a plan to motivate you and boost your confidence. Here’s how your doctor can immediately help you:
- Have your blood pressure and cholesterol numbers checked.
- Teach you how to check your numbers in your retirement community, assisted living community or assisted living facility, senior apartment, or other residence.
- Support you in heart-healthy changes. This can be quitting smoking, starting a simple physical activity or exercise routine, diet changes, or other changes.
- Connect you with specialists to treat heart problems and other conditions.
- Prescribe you medicines if that’s what you need.
If you’re like a lot of people, maybe you haven’t been to your doctor in a while or kept up with your appointments. The COVID-19 pandemic has probably thrown you for a loop, like lots of people. But commit to getting back on track by scheduling an appointment.
That first step with your doctor can be a difference maker for you and get you started on greatly improving your quality of life.
Get To Know Auburn Hill Senior Living
At Auburn Hill Senior Living we know that choosing the right community for yourself or a loved one is a big responsibility. Touring communities and asking questions can be taxing.
Let us make the experience enjoyable for you! We invite you to schedule a visit and come out to experience the Auburn Hill difference for yourself.