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Written By: Editorial Team | Updated : March 12, 2018 4:23 PM IST
Exercise regularly to prevent a heart attack. © Shutterstock
Heart attacks are common amongst the elderly. According to the 2016 Global Burden of Disease Report, heart disease is the leading cause of death in India (17.8% of all the deaths), figures rising by 53% compared to 2005. Over the last 60yrs, congenital heart disease prevalence has increased from 1% to 9-10% in urban areas and has gone from 1% to 4-6% in rural areas. A heart attack happens when there is a sudden complete blockage of an artery that supplies blood to a section of the heart. As a result, some of the heart muscle starts to die. Most of the time, older adults are dependent on family members or caregivers to understand the signs and to get medical aid. Dr Sriniwas Thakur, Consultant Geriatrician, Fortis Hospital, Mulund gives us details.
Risk factors for heart attacks in elderly
Family history of heart attacks or cardiac problems
Diabetes
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Smoking (even second-hand smoke exposure)
Alcohol consumption
Being overweight or obese
Inactive or sedentary lifestyle
Symptoms of heart attack in elderly:
Experiencing any of these may not necessarily indicate that the person has a heart attack. It is better to leave the clinical decision to the doctor. While it is known that the most common symptom is sudden onset chest pain, many of the elderly do not present this characteristic complaint.
Commonly reported symptoms include
Uncomfortable chest pain, heavy pressure or squeezing or sensation of fullness in chest, with pain radiating to neck, jaw and arm
Indigestion or heartburn
Experiencing shortness of breath
Nausea, vomiting, sudden sweating or dizziness
Fatigued and noticeable decrease in energy
In some cases, acute change in behaviour (delirium)
Steps to reduce heart attacks in the elderly
It is important for people of all ages to eat a healthy diet. If suffering from high blood pressure, they should have a diet low in salts and pickles; consume less oily and fried foods.
If diabetic, diet should be low in sugars and consume foods with low glycemic index. It is always a good option to consume fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables and avoid all sorts of junk food
Senior citizens who have been sedentary should start exercising slowly, by taking short walks every day
One of the most preventable causes of heart attacks is smoking. It is always better to quit smoking at any age. Limit the amount of alcohol you drink
Keep your Blood Pressure, Diabetes and Cholesterol in good control
Try and lead a stress-free life; visit your doctor on a regular basis
Steps for caregivers if an elderly person has a heart attack outside the hospital
Have that person sit down, rest and try to keep calm
Loosen any tight clothing
Keep constantly reassuring them that medical aid is on its way
If the person takes any medication for chest pain or heart condition, help them take it
Call for help and immediately, take the person to the hospital
What not to do?
Do not leave the person alone, except to call for help
Do not give anything by mouth, unless a heart medication is prescribed
Do not wait to see if the symptoms go away. Take the person immediately to the hospital
Each and every minute matters, once a person develops a heart attack; the medical intervention is to get the blood flowing back to the heart. The sooner the treatment is received, once the symptoms of heart attack are noticed, the less damage will be caused to the heart. In most cases, an elderly individual will live through a heart attack, if they get the emergency help at the earliest. Delay of even a few minutes can be fatal.
Image source: Shutterstock
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