According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in the United States. And about half of all Americans have at least one of the risk factors associated with heart disease.
This fact might be scary, but we are here to help. February is American Heart Month. In February, organizations like AgeWell Atlanta help others understand risk factors for heart disease, and provide resources on how to live a heart-healthy lifestyle.
Risk Factors for Developing Heart Disease
There are three primary risk factors for developing heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking. It’s important to note that risk alone does not guarantee you will develop heart disease, but it increases your chances.
Some of the risk factors for heart disease are out of your control, such as your age or family history. However, some factors are in your control, and you can take control and change these factors to significantly lower your risk of developing heart disease.
And AgeWell Atlanta and its partners can help you on your journey to better heart health.
How To Lower Your Risk for Heart Disease
There are lifestyle changes you can make right now regardless of your age to lower your risk of developing heart disease. These include eating a healthy diet low in saturated fats, trans fat, and cholesterol, regular exercise, avoiding smoking and tobacco use, and limiting alcohol consumption to one drink or less per day for women, and two drinks or less per day for men.
Members of AgeWell Atlanta Neighborhoods are given plenty of opportunities to both increase social engagement and reduce their risk of developing heart disease. In addition to fun weekly events in Roswell, Toco Hills, Dunwoody, and East Cobb, members enjoy group exercise classes and nutrition counseling and education. As a member of AgeWell Atlanta Neighborhoods, you can participate in fun classes with fellow older adults that get your heart pumping, and learn how to eat healthier and feel great.
The Marcus Jewish Community Center of Atlanta (MJCCA), an AgeWell Atlanta partner, offers numerous fun and engaging heart-healthy exercise programs for active mature adults. At the MJCCA, you can play pickleball, a fun, low-impact sport that combines tennis, table tennis, and badminton. You can also join in group water aerobics, walking classes, group exercise classes, and more.
Within the Jewish HomeLife network, the assisted living and memory care facilities are all dedicated to heart-healthy programs, from exercise classes to nutrition resources. The William Breman Jewish Home has a registered dietician who can offer scientifically-backed methods for eating healthier. Jewish Tower and The Zaban Tower have volunteers for weekly fitness activities like Torrie Griffin of Fitness Love.
And those are just a few examples!
AgeWell Atlanta Supports Heart Health
AgeWell Atlanta is committed to the health and wellbeing of aging adults in the Atlanta community year-round, not just in February.
If you or an older loved one is experiencing changes in their health and are looking for guidance, you can call the AgeWell concierges at 1.866.AGEWELL(243-9355) any time, or contact us here. Our friendly concierges have experience with providing resources and referrals for vision issues, older driver safety, signs of Alzheimer’s Disease, and more.
For more ways to age well, be sure to subscribe to AgeWell Atlanta’s email newsletter, follow us on Facebook, and keep an eye on our calendar events.
