High blood pressure is a serious disorder that can be the cause of other health problems. At Home Health Phoenix we care for a number of seniors and know the importance being aware of all symptoms that are associated with high blood pressure. Below is a list that provides symptoms that may signify that high blood pressure has affected other parts of the body.

1. High blood pressure is the primary risk factor for heart attack and stroke. It can also cause kidney damage, blindness and heart disease.

2. The symptoms of high blood pressure can be different for each person. Some seniors will never experience any symptoms. Symptoms include dizziness, blurred vision, headaches and fatigue.

3. If the heart has been affected, the following symptoms may be present: chest pain, heart palpitations, shortness of breath and dizzy spells.

4. If the kidneys are affected by high blood pressure, patients may experience frequent urination, urinary tract infections, pain in the lower abdomen, increased glucose and protein in the urine or blood.

5. Should high blood pressure affect your eyes, you will experience loss of vision, blurred vision, headaches or double vision.

6. Malignant hypertension is caused by the rapid onset of high blood pressure and may cause shortness of breath, severe headaches, nausea, chest pain, confusion or seizures.

7. Talk to your doctor if any symptoms are present. Then work on a solution to lower your blood pressure, either by diet changes, medications, exercise or a combination of all three.

Source: hearthealthyonline.com

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Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Restrictive diets don’t work for anyone, and they can be especially dangerous for older adults who need to focus on nutrition that benefits the health of the heart. A way of eating inspired by the Mediterranean diet can keep seniors heart healthy well into their later years!

• Produce and grains – forget the Atkins diet, with the Mediterranean diet, whole grains are encouraged but with some moderation. Nuts, fruits and vegetables are also essential and should make up approximately ¾ of the food consumed during any meal

• Limit fatty foods – with the Mediterranean diet there is a focus upon fish and lean meats for protein, as well as nuts as mentioned above. Red meat is consumed only in moderation

• Spice instead of salt – this diet is low in sodium because instead of using salt for flavor, the Mediterranean use other spices

• Indulge in healthy luxuries – canola oil and olive oil which are healthy fats make up a portion of this way of eating, and red wine can be consumed in moderation regularly!

Via: Mayo Clinic

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Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.

Heart failure is a major and increasingly common cardiovascular syndrome, and is the end result of many cardiovascular disorders.  Guidelines recommend that exercise training be considered for medically stable outpatients with heart failure, but there have remained concerns regarding safety and uncertainty about clinical outcomes.

Christopher M. O’Connor, M.D., of Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, N.C., and colleagues examined whether aerobic-type exercise training reduces all-cause death or all-cause hospitalization in patients with medically stable chronic heart failure due to systolic dysfunction (impaired contraction of the heart).  There were 2,331 patients in the study with a median age of 59. They were randomly assigned to either usual care plus aerobic exercise or usual care alone.

Patients with heart failure who participated in aerobic exercise training had modest improvements in self-reported health status compared with those patients who did not have exercise training, according to the research. “The results demonstrate that participation in an exercise training program provides a modest but statistically significant improvement in patient-reported health status compared with usual care,” the authors concluded.

Your doctor can let you know whether exercise is safe for you.  In the meantime, why not connect with others in a way that can help you feel safer and more secure in your own home.  One way to do that is by engaging the services of a caregiver companion.  Home Instead Senior Care hires CAREGivers who are screened, trained, bonded and insured, and equipped to help keep seniors independent for as long as possible.

Home Health in Greater Phoenix & Home Health in Central Phoenix helps elders and seniors in Phoenix remain at home safely and independently. Call us today at 623.583.5868, 602.265.8228 or 480.991.3959.