WEBVTT 00:00:00.919 --> 00:00:04.299 I'm gonna put a bold truth out right up front. 00:00:04.940 --> 00:00:07.639 Heart medications can save your life, or they 00:00:07.639 --> 00:00:10.039 can cause real trouble if they're not managed 00:00:10.039 --> 00:00:14.080 well. Here's what I'm talking about. Many older 00:00:14.080 --> 00:00:17.660 adults take more than one heart medication. Sometimes 00:00:17.660 --> 00:00:21.339 they take five or six, maybe even more. And most 00:00:21.339 --> 00:00:24.059 people assume, well, hey, my doctor prescribed 00:00:24.059 --> 00:00:27.500 it, so I'm fine. But that is not always the full 00:00:27.500 --> 00:00:30.129 story. In the next few minutes, I'm going to 00:00:30.129 --> 00:00:32.670 walk you through how to manage heart medication 00:00:32.670 --> 00:00:36.109 safely, how to avoid common mistakes, and how 00:00:36.109 --> 00:00:38.890 to stay in control without feeling overwhelmed. 00:00:39.509 --> 00:00:42.570 This is practical, real -life guidance you can 00:00:42.570 --> 00:00:45.109 actually use. And just so you know where I'm 00:00:45.109 --> 00:00:48.229 coming from, I'm Robin Schiltz, a senior home 00:00:48.229 --> 00:00:50.969 safety specialist. I've worked with countless 00:00:50.969 --> 00:00:54.049 older adults and families, and medication issues 00:00:54.049 --> 00:00:57.350 come up all the time. So let's talk about it. 00:00:58.280 --> 00:01:01.619 Heart medications do important work. They help 00:01:01.619 --> 00:01:04.219 control blood pressure, they manage heart rhythm, 00:01:04.760 --> 00:01:07.540 they reduce cholesterol, they prevent clots. 00:01:08.200 --> 00:01:11.180 These medications are powerful tools, but because 00:01:11.180 --> 00:01:14.040 they're powerful, they need respect and structure. 00:01:14.980 --> 00:01:17.599 One of the biggest problems we see is medication 00:01:17.599 --> 00:01:21.239 overload. Someone starts with one heart medication, 00:01:21.700 --> 00:01:24.299 then another is added, then maybe a water pill. 00:01:24.569 --> 00:01:27.969 then something for pain or for sleep or for anxiety. 00:01:28.709 --> 00:01:31.230 Before long, pills are being taken morning, noon, 00:01:31.269 --> 00:01:33.709 and night, and no one has stepped back to look 00:01:33.709 --> 00:01:36.650 at the full picture. This is what I want you 00:01:36.650 --> 00:01:40.390 to remember. More medications does not always 00:01:40.390 --> 00:01:43.950 mean better care. Some heart medications can 00:01:43.950 --> 00:01:46.629 lower blood pressure too much. That can cause 00:01:46.629 --> 00:01:49.730 dizziness. It can cause weakness. It can lead 00:01:49.730 --> 00:01:52.709 to falls, and falls are a big deal for older 00:01:52.709 --> 00:01:56.319 adults. Other medications can slow the heart 00:01:56.319 --> 00:01:59.719 rate too much. That can lead to fatigue or confusion. 00:02:00.579 --> 00:02:03.299 Some can interact with over -the -counter medications 00:02:03.299 --> 00:02:06.560 or supplements. And many people never even mention 00:02:06.560 --> 00:02:08.639 what they're taking in the way of that to their 00:02:08.639 --> 00:02:13.039 doctor. So the first step is awareness. I always 00:02:13.039 --> 00:02:16.719 suggest keeping a simple medication list. Write 00:02:16.719 --> 00:02:21.099 down every medication. The name, the dose, why 00:02:21.099 --> 00:02:24.770 you take it, when you take it. That why part 00:02:24.770 --> 00:02:27.469 is important. If you don't know why you're taking 00:02:27.469 --> 00:02:30.969 something, that's a sign to ask questions. You 00:02:30.969 --> 00:02:33.610 also want to make sure to include every over 00:02:33.610 --> 00:02:35.729 -the -counter supplement that you're taking for 00:02:35.729 --> 00:02:40.710 pain or a health supplement of some type. Always 00:02:40.710 --> 00:02:44.229 write that down and the dosage as well. Then 00:02:44.229 --> 00:02:47.750 bring that combined list to every medical appointment. 00:02:48.090 --> 00:02:50.949 Your primary care appointment, your cardiologist, 00:02:51.310 --> 00:02:55.129 urgent care, every single time. Don't assume 00:02:55.129 --> 00:02:58.069 they already know. Doctors are smart, but they 00:02:58.069 --> 00:03:02.129 don't live in your body. Next, let's talk about 00:03:02.129 --> 00:03:05.409 timing. Heart medications often need to be taken 00:03:05.409 --> 00:03:09.030 at specific times. Some work best in the morning, 00:03:09.289 --> 00:03:12.349 others at night. Some should be taken with food, 00:03:12.590 --> 00:03:16.090 others on an empty stomach. Mixing up the timing 00:03:16.090 --> 00:03:19.409 can reduce how well a medication works. or it 00:03:19.409 --> 00:03:22.550 can increase side effects. If your schedule is 00:03:22.550 --> 00:03:25.090 changed or your sleep is off, that can throw 00:03:25.090 --> 00:03:28.909 things out of balance. This is where pill organizers 00:03:28.909 --> 00:03:32.469 can really help. A simple weekly pill box can 00:03:32.469 --> 00:03:35.909 reduce mistakes. And if opening small lids is 00:03:35.909 --> 00:03:39.750 hard, there are easier to open options. Managing 00:03:39.750 --> 00:03:42.469 medications should not hurt your hands or stress 00:03:42.469 --> 00:03:46.090 you out. Another big issue is skipped doses. 00:03:46.740 --> 00:03:49.319 Sometimes people skip medications because they 00:03:49.319 --> 00:03:51.599 feel fine and don't think they need the medicine, 00:03:52.379 --> 00:03:54.259 or because they don't like the side effects of 00:03:54.259 --> 00:03:57.840 the medicine, or they simply forgot. Here's the 00:03:57.840 --> 00:04:00.819 honest truth, though. Many heart conditions don't 00:04:00.819 --> 00:04:03.580 cause symptoms until something serious happens. 00:04:04.199 --> 00:04:06.659 Feeling okay does not mean your heart no longer 00:04:06.659 --> 00:04:10.099 needs support. If a medication is causing side 00:04:10.099 --> 00:04:12.590 effects, That does not mean you should stop in 00:04:12.590 --> 00:04:15.710 on your own. It means you need to have a conversation 00:04:15.710 --> 00:04:19.189 with your provider. There is almost always an 00:04:19.189 --> 00:04:22.550 alternative, a different dose, a different medication, 00:04:22.990 --> 00:04:25.910 different timing, but stopping suddenly can be 00:04:25.910 --> 00:04:28.689 dangerous, especially with heart medications. 00:04:30.689 --> 00:04:33.829 Now let's talk about refills. Running out of 00:04:33.829 --> 00:04:36.810 medication is more common than you'd think. Delays 00:04:36.810 --> 00:04:39.660 happen, pharmacies get backed up, Prescriptions 00:04:39.660 --> 00:04:43.500 expire. So I suggest watching your supply and 00:04:43.500 --> 00:04:46.560 refilling when you have about a week left. Not 00:04:46.560 --> 00:04:50.379 one day, one week. A buffer like that matters. 00:04:51.220 --> 00:04:55.079 If cost is an issue, say something to your pharmacist. 00:04:55.420 --> 00:04:58.040 There may be generic options they can give you 00:04:58.040 --> 00:05:01.800 instead. There may be assistance programs. No 00:05:01.800 --> 00:05:04.680 one should skip heart medication because of silence 00:05:04.680 --> 00:05:08.230 or embarrassment. Another thing I want to mention 00:05:08.230 --> 00:05:12.290 is hydration. Some medications for hearts affect 00:05:12.290 --> 00:05:15.329 fluid levels. Dehydration can make side effects 00:05:15.329 --> 00:05:18.430 worse. There's dizziness and low blood pressure 00:05:18.430 --> 00:05:21.529 and fatigue. So you want to drink enough water 00:05:21.529 --> 00:05:24.930 unless your doctor has told you otherwise. And 00:05:24.930 --> 00:05:27.610 if you've been sick, had diarrhea, or stopped 00:05:27.610 --> 00:05:30.250 eating as much, it's a good time to check in 00:05:30.250 --> 00:05:34.250 with your provider. Now let's bring caregivers 00:05:34.250 --> 00:05:38.329 into this conversation. If you help manage medications 00:05:38.329 --> 00:05:41.589 for someone else, this is not just a task, it's 00:05:41.589 --> 00:05:45.129 a safety role. Watch for changes such as new 00:05:45.129 --> 00:05:48.870 confusion, balance problems, unusual sleepiness, 00:05:49.149 --> 00:05:52.949 loss of appetite. These can be medication related, 00:05:53.250 --> 00:05:57.189 so don't brush them off as just aging. You are 00:05:57.189 --> 00:06:00.310 allowed to speak up. You are allowed to ask questions. 00:06:00.620 --> 00:06:03.800 You are part of the care team. And for older 00:06:03.800 --> 00:06:05.800 adults who are listening, I want to say this 00:06:05.800 --> 00:06:09.500 clearly. You deserve to understand your medications. 00:06:10.079 --> 00:06:14.300 You deserve explanations in plain language. You 00:06:14.300 --> 00:06:17.980 deserve care that fits your life. Managing heart 00:06:17.980 --> 00:06:21.560 medications is not about fear. It's about partnership. 00:06:21.860 --> 00:06:24.600 It's about staying steady. It's about protecting 00:06:24.600 --> 00:06:27.920 your independence. So here's a simple takeaway. 00:06:28.660 --> 00:06:32.620 Know what you take. Know why you take it. Take 00:06:32.620 --> 00:06:35.959 it as directed, and speak up when something doesn't 00:06:35.959 --> 00:06:40.019 feel right. That alone can prevent serious problems. 00:06:41.379 --> 00:06:43.759 So thanks for joining me today. Please share 00:06:43.759 --> 00:06:45.939 this episode with someone you care about who 00:06:45.939 --> 00:06:48.060 could use the information to make their life 00:06:48.060 --> 00:06:51.160 safer. You'll find more resources for seniors 00:06:51.160 --> 00:06:54.459 and caregivers on our website at seniorsafetyadvice 00:06:54.459 --> 00:06:57.480 .com. And if you're searching for an aging in 00:06:57.480 --> 00:07:00.420 place specialist, please visit our sister website 00:07:00.420 --> 00:07:04.199 at aginginplacedirectory .com. If you haven't 00:07:04.199 --> 00:07:06.920 subscribed to our YouTube channel or this podcast 00:07:06.920 --> 00:07:10.240 yet, please go ahead and do that right now. And 00:07:10.240 --> 00:07:12.660 then come back tomorrow for another daily moment 00:07:12.660 --> 00:07:15.860 of guidance and encouragement right here on the 00:07:15.860 --> 00:07:19.379 Senior Safety Advice Podcast. Until next time, 00:07:19.699 --> 00:07:22.779 thanks for listening. Take care. Bye.