Researchers from St. Georges University of London studied over 100,000 patients with no history of heart disease and found that aspirin prevented non-fatal heart attacks by a significant margin. Despite this fact regular doses of aspirin did not seem to prevent other cardiovascular events including fatal heart attacks.

Dr. Rao Sashashi stated that the positive effects of aspirin for those who have suffered cardiovascular events is “indisputable’ but for those with no heart disease history it may be unwarranted. The group studied had a 10% less incidence of cardiovascular problems but 30% of those studied developed serious internal bleeding. The risks are seen as outweighing the benefits in these cases.

As a secondary investigation the study found no evidence that aspirin intake prevented the development of all cancers as some studies have stated was possible. Anyone providing at home care for a senior should check with their physician regarding daily aspirin use. There have been studies that show some seniors over medicate themselves with these medications.

Meeting with a professional at Special Care Services to discuss medication management and daily activities can provide great relief for someone giving at home assistance to a family member. One of our professional senior care service providers can examine all medications taken by the senior in your care to reduce the chances of dangerous interactions and improve quality of life.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced a new coverage for Medicare recipients to help prevent cardiovascular disease. The new program will pay for preventive measures including a face to face meeting with a Doctor for information on diet and other steps a senior can take to lower the risk of heart disease. The plan was announced on November 9, 2011 and is a part of the administration’s new health care package.

The plan doesn’t alter coverage for anyone already diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. It is for those who have not yet had any heart related problems. The consultation is to be done in the physician’s office and they must be a primary care provider. The physician can screen the patient for high blood pressure and other conditions that can increase the chance of heart disease.

The CMS mentions that they want beneficiaries of Medicare to be advised of the help that regular aspirin intake can provide in heart disease prevention. Behavioral modification, especially diet, can be discussed and outlined by the physician and can also play a major part in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. The behavioral modification can be achieved by self help and/or behavior counseling.

Many seniors are leery about asking their doctors or senior care providers about beginning an exercise program because they feel as though it will be a monumental undertaking. A new study performed by researchers at the Harvard School of Public Health shows that even a small amount of regular exercise can have a positive effect on heart health though.

The researchers evaluated the information of well over three thousand studies on exercise and heart disease in order to determine how the amount of activity affected heart risk.

Percentages of deaths due to heart disease have declined quite a bit over the course of the last few decades but it stills remains at the top of the list for causes of death. Decreasing risk of heart disease is possible but it requires adopting healthier eating and lifestyle habits. Some may be able to change to a healthier lifestyle on their own but many older Americans could benefit from the advice of an experienced senior care service provider.

Beginning an age appropriate exercise program and selecting healthy and nutritious foods can be challenging for some seniors. Many seniors have specific nutritional requirements that need to be maintained or conditions that may make some forms of exercise difficult or impossible to participate in.

Enlisting the help of an experienced 

A recent study published in the American journal of Hypertension attempts to clarify the association between salt consumption and heart risks. The study showed a modest improvement in blood pressure but no clear connection between a reduction in salt intake and a reduced risk of dying from heart related issues.

This has prompted researchers to believe that simply prescribing a reduction in consumption of salt may not be enough to reduce heart risk. The AHA and senior care service providers will likely continue

Most people are aware that a poor diet can have a profound effect on overall health. Many of those individuals may not have intimate knowledge of just how much risk is involved in consuming the wrong types of foods though.

A recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine highlights the potential dangers associated with a diet that is high in salt and low in potassium. According to researchers people who follow a high salt,

Leading a completely sedentary lifestyle can pave the way for a number of serious health problems that could ultimately require specialized care. Those who spend the vast majority of time sitting are at an increased danger of obesity, obesity related health issues like diabetes and heart disease. According to a recent study people who sit for extended periods of time may be at a higher risk for suffering a potentially deadly pulmonary embolism as well.

Researchers recently analyzed the data from the Nurse’s Health Study to determine the risk factors

A new study may offer health care providers an additional and effective way for identifying risk of heart disease and stroke in patients. The study, performed by researchers in Canada shows that high levels of a protein (SP-D) that increases in association with lung inflammation is a strong indicator of serious heart health risks.

Health care providers have known that things like smoking and air pollution, which damage the lungs, can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. This is the first study to directly connect signs of lung inflammation to an increased risk of heart disease and stroke though.

Once the updated guidelines from the Endocrine Society get published in July many health care providers could change their recommendations to patients about supplementing with vitamin D. The new guidelines suggest that very few Americans are getting the amount of Vitamin D needed for optimal health.

According to the latest information from the Endocrine Society a huge cross section of the US population is at risk of a vitamin D deficiency. Pregnant women, people who are obese, people of African or Hispanic decent, anyone with osteoporosis, elderly people

Fish that are high in omega-3 fatty acids like herring, salmon and halibut are often recommended by health care providers for their potential to reduce heart related health risks.  A new study performed by researchers in Poland suggests that omega-3 fatty acids may be of great benefit to those who are currently dealing with heart problems as well.

Patients who have clogged arteries repaired with stents are generally prescribed blood thinning