Detecting atrial fibrillation has become much better over recent years. The vast majority of the time, this is a very treatable condition, but monitoring it is very important to maintain heart health as someone ages. The complications of any procedure increase as someone ages, so keeping tabs on aFib is crucial for seniors as they age.
There are a number of ways that this condition can be monitored, but a team of researchers based out of the University of Alberta in Canada wanted to pinpoint the most effective methods for helping people that have this condition or have had it in the past.
Two devices that are commonly used for monitoring aFib were studied here, one was a wearable device that was used for a total of a 30 day timeframe. The other was an implantable device that was used for 12 months. The research team found that of the devices available for monitoring the health of an individual with atrial fibrillation’s heart, the implantable device was the most accurate and helpful. Both of these devices were more accurate and helpful than methods that are used most widely in this part of Canada.
Additionally, they found that many people had undetected symptoms of atrial fibrillation, even after a corrective procedure had taken place. Detecting this early on has the potential to save lives, especially for those that are older. Hopefully, this study will help improve the quality of care that atrial fibrillation patients receive even after they have had surgery and treatment to correct any problems.
As far as heart diseases go, aFib is not one of the more severe ones. But any problem can lead to bigger issues down the road.
Additionally, heart issues, and any other health problem, can lead to a need for more intensive senior care. Perhaps you’ve been helping an older family member for the last few months as they navigate the new difficulties of getting through each day that they have encountered as they’ve gotten older. For many, this is completely manageable. But as time goes by and the severity of those needs increases, you might find that it’s getting harder and harder to keep up with the demands of family care.
If this is you, don’t worry. It is completely normal and understandable. Not each of us has the training to provide senior care for someone with advanced needs. And those that do have this training cannot be expected to provide the highest level of care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for years on end without a break. Even the best caregiver needs time off once in a while.
So, if you find yourself needing help with a loved one, please reach out for help. You can reach out to us, of course, or to any number of quality care services around the country. Your loved one deserves the best that they can get, and while this might be family care for a while, it won’t necessarily always be that way. You have options, and your family will benefit as a result.
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