Prevention and health care of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly in spring

Author: Zhang Wenyan Hebi Third People's Hospital

Reviewer: Dong Birong, Chief Physician, West China Hospital, Sichuan University

Studies have shown that the peak season for cardiovascular diseases is spring. This is because of the frequent cold air activity during the transition between winter and spring. Spring is the season with the most unpredictable climate change and the largest temperature difference between morning and evening, which can easily cause vasoconstriction. Hypertensive patients should pay special attention to this.

Modern medicine emphasizes that "prevention is better than cure", and "health care" is the most important part of prevention.

In the spring when the climate is changeable, the elderly with hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases must take precautions and take good care of themselves. The elderly should pay attention to the following points.

Keep warm

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"Keep warm in spring and cool in autumn" is a health care experience that adapts to the climate in time. Therefore, middle-aged and elderly people with hypertension and heart disease should pay more attention to keeping warm to prevent myocardial infarction, stroke and other diseases. Patients with rheumatic heart disease should pay special attention to keeping warm, and take medicine in time if they have bacterial infections such as tracheitis.

ventilation

In spring, we should pay attention to opening windows for ventilation, especially in some relatively closed places and rooms equipped with central air conditioning. Even if the temperature is low, we should keep opening windows twice a day for more than 10 minutes each time to increase air flow and reduce the concentration of aerosols formed by bacteria and viruses in the air.

Moderate activity

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After being cooped up indoors for a winter, many elderly people want to go out and stretch their muscles in the spring when the weather is warm and the flowers are blooming, but they should be careful about how much exercise they do. Elderly people should exercise in the morning according to their heart's tolerance and avoid high-intensity exercise. If you have a heart attack outdoors, don't just keep going, but stop and take a rest in time. Elderly people who live in high-rise buildings without elevators should pay special attention to taking a break when going up and down the stairs to avoid insufficient oxygen supply and increase the burden on the heart.

Avoid crowded public places

In particular, try not to go to large gathering venues or underground supermarkets, because these places are poorly ventilated and can easily spread bacteria and viruses, causing respiratory diseases such as colds, fevers, lung infections, and thus induce or aggravate cardiovascular diseases.

Actively treat underlying diseases in spring

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Elderly people with underlying diseases such as hypertension, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases should take timely and correct medications and be careful not to take medications at random. If you feel unwell, go to the hospital immediately to avoid worsening of the condition.

Eat a light diet

Eat a low-salt, low-fat, high-fiber diet and maintain smooth bowel movements (straining to defecate is also a major cause of angina pectoris, and spring is prone to getting angry and aggravating constipation). A balanced diet, light diet, less oil and less salt are important parts of preventing and controlling high blood pressure, and are also the basic principles of spring diet.

In the spring, the elderly should pay attention to the prevention and health care of cardiovascular diseases, transition smoothly, and enjoy a healthy life.