Health Risks Seniors Should Be Aware Of

Heart Disease and Stroke

Heart disease describes a variety of conditions relating to the cardiovascular system, such as a heart attack. Heart disease is the number one cause of death among older Americans. Along with heart attack, stroke is one of the deadlier cardiovascular events and occurs when blood flow to the brain is blocked by a blood clot. Aging increases the risk of damaged arteries and weakened heart muscles, which contribute to various types of heart disease. Also, the risk for stroke doubles every decade after the age of 55. While you can’t control aging, lifestyle changes like regular exercise and eating a low-fat and low-sodium diet may help control heart disease and reduce the risk of a deadly heart attack or stroke. Some conditions like multiple sclerosis and certain medications can affect your heart disease risk, so it is important to visit the doctor regularly and report any unusual symptoms.

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Review Date: 
April 7, 2014

Citation: 
Last Updated:
July 1, 2014