Heart disease

The Griswold Solutions Series

TM

Older Adults
and Heart
Disease
Getting to the
Heart of the Matter

© 2014 Griswold International, LLC

American
Heart
Month
Proclamation
2014

“Maintaining
a strong heart is key to a
long and healthy life. The number
one killer of American men and
women, cardiovascular disease is
responsible for one out of every four
deaths in the United States. During
American Heart Month, we renew our
fight, both as a Nation and in each of our
own lives, against the devastating
epidemic of heart disease.”
President Barack Obama


The American Heart
Association reports
that the number of
Americans with
heart disease has
increased to an
estimated 16.3
million, more than
half of whom are
65 or older.

16,300,000


Our Goals for Today
• Learn about the nature and impact of heart disease in older adults
• Understand how to diagnose and treat heart disease in older adults
• Learn from the stories and experiences of an experienced
cardiac nurse
• Access a Fight Heart Disease Toolkit that offers innovative
tools/resources for clients and their family/professional caregivers


Presented by:
Dianne J. Kelly, RN

Cardiac Cath Lab Assistant Manager
Our Lady of Lourdes Medical Center

Chris Kelly, MEd

Director of Learning & Development
Griswold Home Care


Thank you for your courage, energy, and dedication!
Healthcare Providers

Professional Caregivers

Family Caregivers

Older Adults Living
with Heart Disease

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BRAIN WRITING

Solutions

Brainwriting is…
• a fun, engaging way to brainstorm
• sharing as many ideas as possible within a short timeframe
Brainwriting Process
• Listen for our questions
• When prompted, enter your solutions using the webinar chat function
• Don’t overthink or agonize…There are no right or wrong answers
Brainwriting Outcomes
• Peer-to-peer learning and sharing
• A publication that benefits others who are living with heart disease
Important
• Avoid sharing any information that you would not want others to see


About Heart Disease
“The Silent Killer”


Learn about Heart Disease
• Heart disease – also called cardiovascular disease and
coronary artery disease is a term used to describe
several conditions
• The most common cause of heart disease is plaque
buildup in the walls of the arteries of the heart
Normal Artery

Normal
Blood Flow

Artery Wall

Narrowed Artery

Artery Wall

Abnormal
Blood Flow

Other Forms of Heart Disease
• Heart failure
• Arrhythmia –
or irregular heartbeat
• Heart valve problem


Heart Disease Risk Factors
High
cholesterol
diet

High blood
pressure

Smoking

Being physically
inactive

Tool:

Diabetes

Being
overweight
Having a family
history of early
heart disease

Age (55 or
older for
women)

NIH Heart Disease
Risk Factors
http://1.usa.gov/1fwFpIe

Watch, Learn and Live
Heart Attack

Heart Failure

- Lou Gehrig

http://bit.ly/N6VJsc

http://bit.ly/1cWg3CQ


Recognizing
Heart Disease


Symptoms of Heart Failure
Shortness of breath
(also called dyspnea) –
especially while lying flat

Waking up tired

Feeling anxious
and restless

Persistent coughing
or wheezing

Swelling of the legs
(also called
Peripheral edema)


Symptoms of a Heart Attack
Chest pain
(also called “angina”)

Pain in jaw, arm,
back and/or neck

Shortness
of breath

Pallor (gray or
pale skin tone)

Breaking out in
a cold sweat

Indigestion
or nausea


Diagnosing Heart Disease
Echocardiogram
(ultrasound of heart)

A Physical Exam

Exercise
Stress Test
(or treadmill)

Imaging: Chest
X-ray, CT Scan

Cardiac
Catheterization

Blood tests

An Electrocardiogram
(ECG or EKG) a medical device that
makes a graphical
record of the heart's
electrical activity.


Treating
Heart Disease


Medical Treatments
Medication
Aspirin (thins blood)
Beta blockers
(control heart
rate/blood pressure)
Statins (Lower
cholesterol)
ACE Inhibitors
(control blood pressure)
Angioplasty/Stent
(Insert a balloon in
blocked artery and
metal “scaffold” to
keep it open)

Diuretics (prevent
excess fluid in the body)
Calcium channel blockers
(control blood
pressure/rhythm)
Nitrates

Anti-Platelet
(prevents platelets from
clumping together
Surgery
Coronary artery
bypass (fixes
multiple blockages)

Non-Medical Treatments
Eating healthy foods

Stress reduction

Staying active

Smoking cessation

Tools:

AHA Nutrition/
Stay Active Center
http://bit.ly/1cuJtLM

http://bit.ly/1bPna5A


Heart Health Care Team
Cardiovascular/
Radiological
Technologist

Cardiologist
Cardiothoracic
Surgeon

Exercise
Physiologist

Nurse
Practitioner
(NP)

Cardiac
Rehab
Therapist

Physician’s
Assistant (PA)

Dietician
Cardiac
Nurse

Non-medical
home care


Cardiac
Rehab for
Older Adults
Excerpt from the
“Secondary Prevention
of Atherosclerotic
Cardiovascular Disease
in Older Adults: A
Scientific Statement
from the American
Heart Association.”

“Despite clear benefits
of Cardiac Rehab in older
adults…the vast majority
of older patients do not
participate…the cumulative
effect of these factors is
abysmally poor Cardiac
Rehab use rates
among older adults.”

Source: http://bit.ly/1ebrExD

About Cardiac Rehabilitation
Cardiac rehab can …
• Help people recover from heart attacks/surgery and heart procedures such
as stent and angioplasty
• Provide education and counseling services
• Help people to stay active and fit
• Reduce cardiac symptoms
• Improve overall health and quality of life
• Reduce the risk of future heart problems

Tool:

What is
Cardiac Rehab?
http://bit.ly/1ezjmiU

Living with
Heart Disease
Fight Heart Disease
Action Plan and Toolkit


Living with Heart Disease
Heart disease in older adults can cause:

Emotional challenges
(anxiety, depression)

Physical pain,
discomfort and fatigue

Isolation

Fear of death
(“Walking time bomb”)

Financial challenges
due to medical bills
and lost wages

Family stress


Fighting Heart Disease Action Plan
Work with your care team
Keep your appointments

Join a support group
Ask about cardiac rehab

Follow treatment plan
as prescribed
Get involved (Advocacy)
Eat healthy foods

Quit smoking
Relaxation (Tai Chi,
Meditation, Massage)
Stay active


Open Q&A
1. Click to expand
if necessary
2. Type questions here


Key Takeaways
It is important to recognize and
treat heart disease in older adults
Surround yourself with an expert, supportive cardiac
care team
Emotional issues are common but can be overcome
through education, support and advocacy
Lifestyle changes and treatment can prevent
worsening symptoms
Get involved, and fight back! http://bit.ly/1b2N7Ol

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non-medical care options to assist your loved one.
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