Is Your Parent at Risk for Congestive Heart Failure?

By Jamie Shapiro | March 2, 2017 | Comments Off on Is Your Parent at Risk for Congestive Heart Failure?

Home Care in Lake Forest IL

According to the American Heart Association, 1 in 5 people throughout the United States will develop congestive heart failure at some point in their life. Current statistics say that there are

Home-Care-in-Lake-Forest-IL

Home Care in Lake Forest IL: Is Your Parent at Risk for Congestive Heart Failure?

approximately 5.7 million people in the nation living with the condition, and more than 10 percent of all deaths will have congestive heart failure as a contributing factor. As a family caregiver it is important that you understand the particular risk that your senior is facing when it comes to this condition so that you can give them the care that they need to avoid the condition if possible, and to manage it effectively if it does arise in their later years.

 

Some of the risk factors for congestive heart failure include:

  • Hypertension. Congestive heart failure occurs when the heart muscle is weakened to the point at which it is no longer able to pump adequate blood throughout the body. High blood pressure, also referred to as hypertension, puts additional strain on the heart, making it work harder and eventually weakening it.
  • History of heart attack. Experiencing a heart attack causes damage to the heart muscle, which makes it harder for the heart to work efficiently and effectively.
  • Taking certain medications. Though beneficial for the particular health conditions they are meant to treat, certain medications can put additional strain on the heart, increasing the risk of issues such as congestive heart failure.
  • Age. Though people of all ages can and do develop congestive heart failure, it occurs most often in older adults, and the risk for developing the condition increases as the person gets older.
  • Poor lifestyle choices. Certain lifestyle choices including use of tobacco products, excessive alcohol consumption, and eating an unhealthy diet all put additional strain on the heart and greatly increase the chances of congestive heart failure.

 

If your elderly loved one has recently been diagnosed with congestive heart failure or you are concerned that they are at increased risk of developing this condition, now may be the ideal tie for you to consider starting home care for them. An in-home senior care services provider can be with your aging loved one on a fully customized schedule tailored to not only their individual needs, challenges, and limitations, but also their thoughts, beliefs, preferences, and goals, as well as the amount of care that you are able to give to them. This enables your loved one to properly manage their CHF while also pursuing a lifestyle that is safe, healthy, comfortable, and fulfilling. As a family caregiver this can help you to feel more confident that your elderly parent will get the care, support, assistance, and encouragement that they need to live the highest quality of life possible, while also pursuing as much independence and activity as is right for them. When it comes to helping your elderly loved one properly manage their risk factors for congestive heart failure, this home care provider can help your parent understand their risks and support them in remaining compliant with their doctor’s guidelines and recommendations, as well as encouraging a healthier lifestyle as they age in place.

If you or an aging loved one are considering home care in Lake Forest, IL, contact the caring staff at Companion Services of America today at (847) 943-3786. Our home care service area includes Northbrook, Highland Park, Deerfield, Glenview, Buffalo Grove, Evanston, Des Plaines, Skokie, Lake Forest, Wilmette and the surrounding areas.

 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/dhdsp/data_statistics/fact_sheets/docs/fs_heart_failure.pdf

https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/heart-failure/basics/risk-factors/con-20029801

https://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/HeartFailure/Heart-Failure_UCM_002019_SubHomePage.jsp?gclid=CObtybDNrtICFdCLswodLo4BHQ

Jamie Shapiro
Latest posts by Jamie Shapiro (see all)
Posted in Senior Health and tagged