Additional menu

CarePlanIt |

We help seniors & their families navigate aging issues

Heart Disease (Cardiovascular Disease)

The big umbrella term for diseases of the heart and blood vessels is cardiovascular disease. It also encompasses coronary heart disease (clogged or blocked arteries), stroke, congenital heart defects, congestive heart failure, and peripheral artery disease.

what is heart disease
Heart Disease / Cardiovascular Disease

What Is Heart Disease?

Heart disease is an umbrella term for a variety of conditions that affect the heart’s structure and function. First, for seniors, the most common form of cardiovascular disease is coronary heart disease. Coronary heart disease (aka clogged arteries and atherosclerosis) occurs when combinations of cholesterol, calcium, fat and other substances (plaque) builds up in arteries. The plaque can also lead to blockages and clots. This blocks the flow of blood to the heart which can cause pain, also known as angina. If the plaque creates a blockage, you can also get a heart attack.

Additionally, there are cardiovascular issues that affect the brain, like strokes, that are different in terms of the organ they impact. Definitely see our section on strokes.

Symptoms

  • Pain or discomfort in the chest that doesn’t go away after a few minutes
  • Jaw, neck, or back pain or discomfort
  • Weakness, light-headedness, nausea (feeling sick to your stomach), or a cold sweat
  • Pain or discomfort in the arms or shoulder.
  • Trouble breathing, specifically shortness of breath

Surgeries For Heart Disease

So many of seniors will get heart disease it should be noted that surgery has become a common treatment option. Not only have surgeries become common, but they also have become safter.

  • Aortic surgery. A surgical procedure to repair or replace aortic aneurysms and aortic dissections.
  • Aortic valve surgery. A surgical procedure to repair or replace an aortic valve that is not working correctly.
  • Arrhythmia surgery. Surgery to correct irregular heart rhythms such as atrial fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia.
  • Congenital heart surgery. A surgical procedure to fix or treat a genetic heart defect.
  • Coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) surgery. Surgery in which the blocked portion of the coronary artery is bypassed with another piece of blood vessel.
  • Heart transplant. A surgical option to replace the heart. For advanced heart failure – when the heart can’t pump enough oxygenated blood to meet the needs of the body’s organs.
  • Left ventricular remodeling/surgical ventricular restoration. A surgical procedure that provides the heart with a more normal shape after a heart attack, allowing it to pump blood more efficiently.
  • Myectomy/myotomy. A surgical procedure that removes a portion of the enlarged heart wall.
  • Transmyocardial revascularization (TMR). Surgery to relieve severe angina or chest pain in patients who aren’t candidates for bypass surgery or angioplasty.
  • Valvular surgery. A surgical procedure to repair or replace diseased heart valves

CarePlanIt’s Approach

CarePlanIt classifies every issue into one of five key areas: health, housing, finances, end-of-life chores & family communication. Once done, the CarePlanIt framework allows you to create an optimized process of addressing the challenge. You minimize your family’s time and costs while maximizing your chance at reaching an ideal solution. Although all five categories work together, it’s important to make an initial categorization.

Heart disease is a “Health” issue that is evaluated by the chronic or temporary effects of the disease. Whereas you might get better or return to full functionality after a stroke or heart attack, congestive heart failure is permanent. CarePlanIt’s classification of health issues can help you better understand the impact of heart disease on your life. In short, both chronic and temporary effects of heart disease need to be managed properly or devastating complications can arise. The senior, their spouse and the entire family need to understand these implications. However, depending on the severity of the condition, staying at home may be challenging, even impossible.

We can also help you navigate issues relating to the need for assisted living or nursing care. Review our Sections on Health and Housing.

Quick Ideas

To prevent the disease:

  • Eat healthily
  • Maintain proper weight
  • Stay active
  • Exercise
  • Don’t smoke or vape

To treat the disease:

  • See the Surgery Section above
  • Manage any other diseases you have that can contribute to heart disease (choletsral, diabtes, visit your doctors, take all your medications, etc.)

Additional information can be found below:

Heart disease information from the CDC – click here

There’s also good information on heart disease from the Mayo Clinic – here

Heart disease information from the Cleveland Clinic – click here