Maintaining healthy habits is crucial for heart health, particularly for older adults. Adopting a healthy lifestyle can significantly reduce the risk of heart disease, which remains the leading cause of death among older adults.

Simple changes like regular exercise and a balanced diet can have a lasting impact on overall well-being and longevity.

The impact of heart disease

Heart disease and stroke are responsible for more deaths in the U.S. than cancer and respiratory diseases combined. Nearly 75 percent of women and 77 percent of men aged 60 to 79 have some form of cardiovascular disease, and more than 67 per cent have high blood pressure.

Seniors can support their heart health by managing stress through regular exercise, social connections and relaxation practices. Courtesy White River Assisted Living

Heart-healthy habits

Here are four key habits that can help older adults protect their hearts:

1. Exercise regularly: Physical activity is one of the most effective ways to protect your heart. Adults who walk about 4,500 steps daily have a 77 percent lower risk of cardiovascular events compared to those who walk fewer than 2,000 steps. Light activities like walking, swimming or yoga can provide significant benefits for heart health.
2. Eat a heart-healthy diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats (like olive oil and avocado) can help reduce cardiovascular risks. Gradually replace unhealthy foods, such as red meat and processed items, with healthier alternatives to improve heart health.
3. Manage stress: Stress can contribute to heart disease, and older adults may face additional stress due to aging challenges. Managing stress through regular exercise, social connections and relaxation practices such as meditation or deep breathing can reduce its impact on heart health.
4. Get enough sleep: Sleep is vital for heart health. Seniors should aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night. Poor sleep is linked to higher heart disease risk. To improve sleep, maintain a consistent sleep schedule, limit screen time before bed and avoid caffeine or alcohol in the evening.

Heart health at White River Assisted Living & Memory Care

At & Memory Care, the team make heart health a top priority. Their community offers tailored exercise programs, heart-healthy meals and a dedicated team to support our residents in adopting lifestyles that promote longevity and overall wellness.

To learn more about the White River community or to schedule a tour, visit online at whiteriveral.com or call us at 360-625-8597. Let the, help you make heart health a part of your, or your loved one’s, daily life.