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Even people who enjoy cooking sometimes need inspiration for heart-healthy dinner ideas. But there are many options, including those for people who follow a vegan, pescatarian, or omnivorous diet. The two main guidelines: include plenty of plant-based foods (especially fruits and vegetables), and choose mostly unprocessed or minimally processed foods.
Depression and cardiovascular disease are common conditions that often occur together. People with depression can find it hard to muster the energy to stick to healthy habits, including choosing and preparing healthy foods and taking prescribed medications on schedule. Three lifestyle changes can improve both illnesses: doing regular exercise, getting plenty of high-quality sleep, and practicing mindfulness meditation. Antidepressants such as sertraline (Zoloft) and other selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors help ease depression in people with cardiovascular disease. So can cognitive behavioral therapy, which is designed to help people recognize and change ingrained, negative thoughts or behaviors.
A personal trainer can provide a safe, effective, and well-rounded exercise routine that is customized to a person’s age, health conditions, and goals. Many people who exercise in gyms don’t get any formal instruction about how to use the machines. Learning the correct body posture, body mechanics, and breathing techniques can provide a more balanced workout. A varied routine can help prevent overuse injuries, stave off boredom, and improve a person’s ability to do other activities, from carrying groceries to swinging a tennis racquet or golf club.
Pharmacogenomic tests can reveal how your body may respond and react to different medications, including some that help lower cholesterol or prevent blood clots. People who have taken direct-to-consumer genetic tests may have information about how they metabolize clopidogrel (Plavix) or simvastatin (Zocor). But so far, there’s no evidence that the results offer any benefit for the average person who has or is at risk for heart disease.
Eating tropical fruits such as pineapple, mango, and papaya can be a good way to satisfy a craving for something sweet, for either a snack or an after-dinner treat.
Eating a serving of nuts at least twice a week is linked to a lower risk of dying of cardiovascular disease. Improved cholesterol and blood sugar levels seen among nut eaters may account for part of this benefit.
A difference in the blood pressure readings from the left and right arms may herald a higher risk of heart disease. People should get readings from both arms at least once.
Smartphone apps and trackers that monitor physical activity may help people increase their activity levels. Apps and devices that include personalization features and text messaging appear to be most effective.
Spring is prime time for seasonal pollen allergies, and older adults shouldn’t be surprised if they develop new allergy symptoms. Getting an allergy test to identify specific allergens and using common over-the-counter remedies can often manage symptoms. If these are ineffective, allergy shots may help. People can further protect themselves by avoiding the outdoors when the pollen count is high.
While some guidelines suggest stopping prostate cancer screening after age 70, the decision to continue depends on a man’s general health and life expectancy. Before a man decides to continue with PSA testing, he should consider what he would do with an abnormal result. While getting a biopsy provides the most crucial information, other non-invasive tests can help with decision making. Most prostate cancers diagnosed by screening are low-grade. So, men have a choice to monitor the cancer rather than proceed to immediate treatment.