Does your elderly loved one have heart disease? This disease is very dangerous. If it is not managed correctly, it could be fatal. However, if you work with your elderly loved one’s doctors, their home care assistance providers, and with your elderly loved one, you can help to ensure their treatment plan is being followed. In addition to the treatment plan, it may be helpful to know more about other heart disease information such as medications and foods those with heart disease should avoid.
NSAIDs
One of the medications that people with heart disease should avoid is NSAIDs. These medications help to relieve inflammation and pain related to that inflammation. However, oftentimes, these medications cause fluid retention. When this happens, it can lead to high blood pressure which can be even more damaging for those who already have heart disease. If your elderly loved one were to take NSAIDs when they have heart disease, it could cause a heart attack or stroke. If your elderly loved one is in pain, you or a senior home care provider can take them to their doctor to find out how they can manage or reduce the pain.
Antibiotics
If your elderly loved one has heart disease, they need to be careful when taking antibiotics, too. Unfortunately, there are antibiotics such as Zithromax, that lead to fatal heartbeat issues. If your elderly loved one is prescribed an antibiotic make sure you, the home care assistance provider, or your elderly loved one tells the doctor about their heart issues. That way, the doctor who will be prescribing the antibiotic can give a safe prescription antibiotic.
Cough Suppressant Medications
People who have heart disease need to be careful when taking any cough suppressant medications. The primary reason for this is because a lot of cough medications have NSAIDs in them. As noted, NSAIDs can cause the heart issues your elderly loved one has to get worse. If your elderly loved one needs to treat their cough, make sure they read the label to ensure there isn’t a warning saying it could cause high blood pressure.
Certain Vegetables and Fruits
Yes, vegetables and fruits are healthy and medical professionals recommend that everyone eats them. However, did you know there are certain vegetables and fruits that can be harmful to those who have heart disease? Some of the ones that could cause negative interactions with heart disease medications include pomegranate and grapefruit. In addition, spinach and kale aren’t safe for those who are taking blood thinners because they have a lot of vitamin K in them.
Overseeing Your Senior with Home Care Assistance Services
These are some of the medications and foods that people with heart disease should avoid or be careful with. If your elderly loved one has heart disease, make sure you remind them to take caution with these things. The home care assistance providers they have can do the same.
Sources: https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/002436.html
