Take better care of your heart as you age. That requires acceptance and change
This past week I had a heart procedure at a local hospital. As it turns out, I had the privilege of staying a few extra days. You must think I speak in jest, but I mean it. Although we normally dread any thought of a hospital stay, I had a paradigm shift when it came to that mentality.
I experienced the best medical expertise and the kindest caregivers, including everyone from my physicians, excellent nurses, aides, to the housekeepers and dietary staff. I not only witnessed but also felt their care and concern. These devoted health care workers are highly educated, dedicated professionals and wonderful human beings.
For that week, I was in the safest place I could be. I had dozens of people that had my back — in this case, my heart. They answered my questions, calmed my anxiety, smiled and laughed at my stories.
We hear so many negative opinions about the state of medical care in the United States. And I realize there are many problems. But what I experienced this week was the dedication of the frontline people who work in the less-than-perfect system. I can only imagine when they hear the criticisms of the industry that they have committed their lives to it wounds them deeply. No wonder burnout is common. These folks need all the gratitude and encouragement we can give them. The system may be broken, but these folks are not the problem.
On the topic of health care, this is American Heart Month. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S. I repeat — heart disease is No. 1. We hear a lot about women's health and breast cancer, but the real enemy is heart disease. That goes for men as well. And let's get real, if your heart is not beating, nothing else matters.
I'm no expert — albeit getting to be one — but heart health is primarily a lifestyle issue. At our age, what we thought we were getting away with is no longer hidden. Diet, exercise, stress management, smoking and excessive drug and alcohol use are the choices that we have made. At the same time, we want to live a long life, but aging does magnify all the antagonists of the heart.
The doctors suggested I eliminate coffee, salt and wine. How did they know? Along with sugar, those are my favorite food groups! But my ears and mind are open, and like so many things that come with aging, acceptance and change are required. I heard a recent story about a woman whose father sat her down to tell her how to grow old. He advised that every morning, she cup her hands around the center of her chest where her heart is and say, "Don't forget to beat today, little heart; I love you." I think it's a great idea. Better chance that your heart will respond than talking to your plants. I'm all in.
Find Connie's book, "Daily Cures: Wisdom for Healthy Aging," at www.justnowoldenough.com.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Heart health is a lifestyle issue, and aging requires better choices
