By Dr. Andrew Yoon, Guest columnist
Heart failure is the leading cause of hospitalizations in people older than 65.
Most seniors who experience heart failure already have a prior history of chronic cardiovascular disease. This is why it’s important for seniors to understand what heart failure is and to know its signs and symptoms to catch the disease in the early stages.
The earlier heart failure is found, after all, the easier it is to treat.
As we age, our arteries become stiffer and less flexible, causing our blood pressure to increase. To compensate for this increase in blood pressure, the heart pumps harder and the walls of the heart thicken to help increase its blood output. Unfortunately, the heart can’t keep up this hard work forever — and it eventually dilates and weakens.
As the heart’s structure gradually changes, the symptoms of heart failure build up slowly and are not immediately obvious, leaving many patients unaware they are experiencing heart failure for months or years, until their heart is severely weak. For this reason, it is important for seniors to maintain regular checkups with their doctor to monitor their heart.
In other cases, symptoms of heart failure can occur suddenly, like after a large heart attack, which permanently damages the structure and function of the heart.
If you are experiencing symptoms of heart failure, talk with your doctor immediately. Symptoms of heart failure may include:
- Fatigue and weakness.
- Swelling in the legs, ankles and feet.
- Rapid or irregular heartbeat.
- Persistent shortness of breath, especially when exercising or lying down.
- A persistent cough that doesn’t go away.
- Swelling of the abdomen.
- Weight gain from fluid buildup.
The American Heart Association, in collaboration with the American College of Cardiology, has identified four stages of heart failure to help seniors know where they stand in the disease process:
- Stage A: This stage is for people who have risk factors for heart failure but have not shown any symptoms or developed any structural heart disease. Risk factors include hypertension, coronary vascular disease, diabetes, obesity, prior exposure to cardiotoxic agents or a family history of cardiomyopathy.
- Stage B: This stage is for people without current or previous symptoms of heart failure but whose hearts have already developed structural changes.
- Stage C: Symptomatic heart failure: This stage is for people with current or previous symptoms of heart failure.
- Stage D: Advanced heart failure: This stage is for people with heart failure symptoms that interfere with daily life functions or lead to repeated hospitalizations.
It is important to know where you are in these four stages in order to take a proactive approach with your doctor in preventing the progression of heart failure from occurring as you age.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is one of the most effective ways to prevent heart failure, according to the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association. The earlier you can implement lifestyle changes, the greater the chance you have of maintaining a healthy heart.
The first action everyone can take to maintain a healthy lifestyle is to stay active. Adults aged 65 and older need at least 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity activity (like walking). Ask your doctor to discuss what activities best fit your abilities.
In addition to exercise, it’s important to also follow a healthy diet to avoid heart failure. As you age, be sure your meals are giving you maximum health benefits by following these guidelines:
- Maintaining a high fiber intake with whole grains, fruits and vegetables.
- Eating healthy fats, such as olive oil, fish and nuts, to reduce your cholesterol.
- Reducing your salt consumption by seasoning your dishes with garlic, herbs and spices, and choosing foods low in sodium.
Every person’s body reacts differently to diet and exercise, so it is important to talk with your doctor to create a fitness regimen and nutrition plan that works best for you.
Dr. Andrew Yoon serves as the medical director of heart failure at the MemorialCare Heart & Vascular Institute at Long Beach Medical Center. He is board-certified in advanced heart failure and transplant cardiology; cardiology; and internal medicine. He joined Long Beach Medical Center in 2018.