Does Stress Put Your Mom’s Heart at Risk?
It’s really no secret that stress is bad for people. Sure, your parent might be older, so they no longer have the stress of a job or raising children. However, old age brings about a whole new set of stressors. There’s illness, losing independence, losing friends or loved ones, and many other sources of stress. Unfortunately, stress doesn’t just affect mental health, but also physical health. Now, a new study is suggesting that stress may have an even greater impact on women’s hearts than men’s.
Study Reveals New Information About Stress
Experts already knew that women were more likely than men to experience myocardial ischemia in times of stress. Ischemia means that the heart receives less blood than normal. What they did not know is that the underlying cause for ischemia is different for women than it is for men.
The new study included 678 people who had already been diagnosed with heart disease. Participants were asked to participate in a stressful task. Researchers used imaging to see if myocardial ischemia occurred as a result. Men and women experienced ischemia at a similar rate, but the cause was different. In men, ischemia occurred because of increased heart rate and blood pressure. Women, however, experienced ischemia because their blood vessels constricted.
Managing Stress to Protect the Heart
The American Heart Association recommends that people, both men, and women, manage the stress in their lives to help protect their hearts. Some ways your aging family member can manage stress are:
Keep a Positive Attitude: Staying positive can help seniors not to dwell on the things that cause them stress. A senior care provider can help by engaging the person in activities they enjoy, putting them in a good mood.
Exercise: Exercise can help the body to relax and improve mood. And, since exercise can also improve an older adult’s health, it might help relieve the stress caused by illness. A senior care provider can drive the person to group fitness classes, go for walks with them, or monitor exercise at home.
Deep Breathing: In times of stress, focusing on breathing deeply can relieve some of the stress. A senior care provider can remind your parent to sit comfortably with closed eyes while they breathe slowly in and out.
Healthy Diet: Eating a healthy diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean protein can improve overall health and boost mood. A senior care provider can help your parent prepare healthy meals and ensure they don’t skip eating, which could cause them to be irritable.
Whether male or female, it’s a good idea to help aging family members prevent heart problems by managing stress. Hiring a senior care provider is a great first step since it will give the older adult someone to rely on for help, which might make them feel more at ease right away!
Are you or a family member considering Homecare in Sacramento, CA? Talk to the friendly staff at Golden Years In-Home Senior Care. Call us today at 916-333-0383. We are here when you need us!
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About the Author, Carrie Ballard:
Golden Years In-Home Senior Care was founded by Ken and Carrie Ballard. Their passion for providing compassionate quality care for seniors began years ago, when they assisted in the operations of their family’s home care facilities. It was there, they realized their life long calling. Even at a young age, they both knew caring for seniors was what they wanted to do.
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