In a typical day, your heart beats 100,000 times. And in a lifetime, it beats more than 2.5 billion times. February is American Heart Month, a time to battle cardiovascular disease and educate ourselves on what we can do to live heart-healthy lives. Heart disease, including stroke, is the leading cause of death for men over age 45 and women over age 55 in the United States.

How Does Your Heart Age?
The cardiovascular system, including the heart and arteries, undergoes normal changes as we age. 

• Your heart muscle becomes less efficient and must work harder to pump the same amount of blood through your body.
• The ability to form new blood vessels declines in small arteries.
• Blood vessels lose some of their elasticity and hardened fatty deposits may form on the inner walls, making your arteries stiffer.
• Even the healthiest of hearts may lose up to 30% of cells (myocytes) as it ages. Evidence suggests that loss of a significant number of heart cells may contribute to the decline in cardiovascular health in older people.
  
  

How Can I Improve Heart Health?
Leading an overall healthy lifestyle will help improve your heart health.

• Include physical activity in your daily routine. Try walking, swimming or other physical activities.
• Eat a healthy diet, including plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Excessive sodium raises blood pressure, a major risk factor for heart disease and stroke.
• If you smoke, ask your doctor to help you quit. Your risk of heart disease will begin to fall almost immediately.
• Don’t let stress get out of control. Develop an action plan to immediately start reducing your stress levels.
• If you’re a caregiver, take time for yourself and your well-being. To give the best care, you must be in the best possible health yourself.

Long-distance caregiving takes many forms. Many caregivers act as information coordinators by helping older adults understand the health care system and insurance. Approximately 7 million adults are long-distance caregivers, caring for aging parents who live an hour or more away.

More and more older people are living alone far from their families. When you live many miles away from your loved one, the separation can complicate caregiving. Concerns about safety, nutrition, and health can be overwhelming.

Following these 5 simple tips can ease the burden and potential guilt of living away from your aging loved one.

• Seek help from people in the community. Build a list of contacts such as the next door neighbor, the primary doctor, and local church.
  
• Search for local resources to help you coordinate care. Geriatric care managers specialize in assessing and monitoring the needs of older adults.
  
• Create a list of prescriptions and over-the-counter medications, along with dosing instructions. Keep it updated for emergency situations.
  
• When you visit, check the home for possible hazards and safety concerns. Clearing out clutter that can cause a fall or adding grab bars to the bathroom can lower the risk of accidents.
  
• Find out if your parent has an advance directive stating his or her health care treatment preferences. Elder-law attorneys help older clients with legal documents for healthcare, legal, and financial decisions.

Many older adults want to remain in their own homes and community. Few long-distance caregivers are able to spend as much time with their loved one as they would like. By using your time efficiently and asking for help, your aging loved one can remain independent for as long as possible.

Aging is a natural process. We all age differently, but similarities exist that can guide you toward a better aging experience. Knowing what changes to expect can enhance your aging experience, leading to a happier and healthier life.

What happens as we age?

*The table above lists only a few changes that occur in the aging process.

Resolve to take action in 2012, educate yourself about proper diet and exercise, and make the most of your life!