Seniors and their families should be more aware of A-Fib, or Atrial Fibrillation and the impact it can have. A-fib is a condition that causes an irregular and often very fast heartbeat. Seniors with A-fib have a higher risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart-related conditions. To seniors that have A-fib but don’t know it, the fast heartbeat might feel like a panic attack. It’s actually a medical condition that their doctor should know about. Here are a few symptoms you and your senior should know about A-Fib, and how home care assistance can help:
Shortness Of Breath
It’s not uncommon for seniors to be out of breath if they’re exercising strenuously, but if seniors are not exercising and they feel out of breath or if they are doing something that they do every day like getting dressed, sitting on the couch, or talking and they are suddenly out of breath that could be a warning sign of A-fib.
Weakness
If your senior parent suddenly starts feeling weak when they are doing routine tasks to the point where they need to sit down or if they fall down because they have a wave of weakness come over them that is something that a doctor needs to check out right away. Sudden weakness overall and sudden muscle weakness can indicate A-fib in seniors.
Dizziness
Dizziness in seniors can be caused by many things, including common conditions like dehydration or malnutrition. A change in air pressure, some medications, and many other things can cause temporary slight dizziness. But if your senior parent is suddenly having dizzy spells that they haven’t had before or they find that they are getting dizzy when they do everyday things like put their shoes on, button up a shirt, or walk down the hall that’s an indication that something could be wrong.
Fatigue
Just like dizziness fatigue is common in seniors and can be caused by many things, most of which aren’t that serious. But, if your senior loved one has developed severe fatigue and they also are showing some of the other signs of A-fib that’s a red flag. Have the home care assistance provider keep track of when your senior loved one is feeling fatigues and how long the fatigue lasts.
Pounding Heartbeat
Your senior parent may experience a suddenly pounding heartbeat by itself or in conjunction with other symptoms of A-fib like dizziness or shortness of breath. If your senior parent has spells of pounding heartbeat repeatedly and they are also experiencing other symptoms of A-fib you should make a doctor’s appointment for them so that the doctor can test their heart function. If there is A-fib there are treatments and medications that can help but the sooner that seniors get diagnosed and start treatment for A-fib the lower their chances of a heart attack or stroke will be.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atrial-fibrillation/symptoms-causes/syc-20350624
If you are considering home care assistance in Garden Oaks, TX for an aging loved one, please call the caring staff at At Your Side Home Care. We will answer all of your senior care questions. Call today: (832) 271-1600.
Our Certified Nurse Aides, 24-Hour Live-in Assistants and Home Health Aides are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We also provide the security and confidence of 24-hour Telephone Assistance, so fast, reliable help is always available when it's needed. To learn more about our homecare services see our homecare services page.
Different people need different levels of homecare. To meet the requirements of our clients, At Your Side Homecare maintains consistent staffing levels of caring professionals. Homecare service is available for as little as a few hours a week, or as many as 24 hours a day, seven days a week
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