Heart Healthy Living at Meadow Valley in Traverse City, MI
alentine’s Day is a time for chocolates, flowers and celebrating the people we love. But with February also being American Heart Month, it’s the perfect moment to think about another kind of love: taking care of the heart that keeps us going every single day.
Why Heart Health Matters
Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the United States for more than a century, and it still claims a life every 34 seconds.
According to the CDC, more than 919,000 Americans died from cardiovascular disease in 2023 alone. For older adults, it’s even more relevant: more than three in four adults between 60 and 79 already have cardiovascular disease.
Heart disease doesn’t just affect your heart, either, as it’s closely linked to stroke, kidney disease, cognitive decline and even dementia.
Protecting your heart is crucial and impacts the rest of your body. The good news is many of the best ways to live a heart-healthy life are simple things you can do every day.
Simple Ways to Love Your Heart
You don’t need to run a marathon to keep your heart strong. Small, everyday choices make a real difference:
Stay active. Even gentle movement counts. For Meadow Valley residents, this might mean a walk around the community or an exercise class.
All of these activities can help keep your body and your heart engaged. The American Heart Association recommends 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, but any movement is better than none.
Eat with your heart in mind. Fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins are your heart’s best friends. Reducing sodium and choosing water over sugary drinks are two of the simplest swaps you can make.
That’s also one reason chef-prepared meals in a senior living setting are such a gamechanger. Residents enjoy balanced, nutritious dining without the stress, and sharing meals together in a communal dining room adds a social element that’s good for the heart in more ways than one.
Stay connected. Social connection is good for the heart! Loneliness and isolation have been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Sharing a meal with a neighbor, joining a group activity or simply having a good conversation can do more for your health than you might think.
It’s easy in a senior living community like Meadow Valley to feel connected. Whether it’s happy hour, an art class, a craft project or just sitting in the courtyard and swapping stories, these everyday moments are genuinely beneficial to your health.
Rest and recharge. Chronic stress and poor sleep both take a measurable toll on cardiovascular health.
A comfortable, secure living environment like Meadow Valley—where maintenance, safety, and daily logistics are handled for you—removes many of the stressors that weigh on seniors living alone. Wherever you live, it’s a good idea to focus on yourself and address stress that influences your wellbeing.
A Valentine to Yourself
This Valentine’s Day, celebrate the people you love, and don’t forget the heart that makes it all possible.
Every walk you take, every meal you share, every laugh with a friend is an act of love for your own health. Sometimes the real difference means showing up for yourself, one small choice at a time.
At Meadow Valley, heart-healthy living is woven into the day-to-day of our communities. From chef-prepared meals and daily activity programming to the friendships that form, our residents don’t just live, but thrive.
We offer independent living, assisted living and memory care at Meadow Valley. If you or a loved one are exploring senior living options, we’d love to show you what life looks like here.
Schedule a tour today and see why our residents call it home.
