Frequently Asked Questions
What are the warning signs of a heart attack in older adults?
Classic signs are chest pressure or pain, but older adults — and women especially — may notice shortness of breath, unusual fatigue, nausea, lightheadedness, or pain in the jaw, neck, back, or arm instead. Any sudden or unexplained version of these symptoms deserves emergency attention: call 911 rather than driving yourself.
What heart screenings does Medicare cover?
Medicare Part B covers a cardiovascular screening blood test (cholesterol, lipids, and triglycerides) every five years at no cost, an annual visit for intensive behavioral therapy for cardiovascular disease with your primary care doctor, and blood pressure checks as part of the Annual Wellness Visit. Medicare also covers cardiac rehabilitation for qualifying conditions.
Does Medicare cover cardiac rehab?
Yes. Medicare Part B covers supervised cardiac rehabilitation for people who have had a heart attack in the past 12 months, bypass surgery, stable angina, heart valve repair or replacement, angioplasty or stenting, heart or heart-lung transplant, or stable chronic heart failure. Coverage is typically up to 36 sessions over 36 weeks, with 20% coinsurance after the deductible for Original Medicare.
Should I take a daily aspirin to prevent a heart attack?
Current U.S. guidelines advise against starting daily low-dose aspirin for prevention in adults 60 and older who have not had a heart attack or stroke, because the risk of bleeding often outweighs the benefit. If your doctor prescribed aspirin for a specific reason, do not stop it without asking. Always discuss aspirin with your doctor before starting or stopping.
What lifestyle changes lower heart risk the most?
The strongest evidence supports not smoking, regular physical activity, controlling blood pressure, a Mediterranean-style eating pattern, maintaining a healthy weight, managing blood sugar, and treating sleep apnea. Taking medicines such as statins and blood pressure drugs as prescribed is also important for people with elevated risk.
Heart disease is still the leading cause of death among older Americans, but it is also among the most preventable. Knowing the warning signs, using the screenings Medicare covers, and focusing on a few high-impact habits can meaningfully lower risk.
Chest pressure, sudden shortness of breath, fainting, or pain spreading to the jaw, back, or arm — call 911 immediately. Do not drive yourself.
Warning Signs That Are Easy to Miss
- Unusual fatigue that does not improve with rest
- Shortness of breath with activity that used to be easy
- Nausea, indigestion-like discomfort, or cold sweats
- Swelling in the ankles or legs, or sudden weight gain (possible heart failure)
- Lightheadedness, fainting, or a racing or irregular heartbeat
Heart Screenings and Benefits Under Medicare
- Cardiovascular screening blood tests: cholesterol, lipid, and triglyceride tests every five years, $0
- Intensive behavioral therapy for cardiovascular disease: an annual primary-care visit focused on prevention, $0
- Blood pressure screening: part of your Annual Wellness Visit
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm ultrasound: one-time screening for eligible people with risk factors
- Cardiac rehabilitation: supervised exercise and education after qualifying heart events
The Habits With the Strongest Evidence
Move Most Days
About 150 minutes a week of moderate activity such as brisk walking lowers heart risk, improves blood pressure and blood sugar, and helps maintain weight. If you are starting from zero, build up gradually.
Know and Control Your Numbers
Blood pressure, LDL cholesterol, and blood sugar are the three numbers most worth tracking. Ask your doctor for your targets and how often to recheck. Home blood pressure readings help you and your doctor see the real picture.
Eat a Mediterranean-Style Diet
Vegetables, fruit, beans, whole grains, nuts, fish, and olive oil — with less processed food, salt, and sugar — is the pattern with the best long-term evidence for heart protection.
Treat What Can Be Treated
Untreated high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and diabetes all damage the heart quietly. If you snore, feel unrefreshed in the morning, or have a family history, ask about screening. Take prescribed statins and blood pressure medicines as directed, and tell your doctor about side effects rather than stopping on your own.
- Know the less obvious warning signs — and call 911 when in doubt
- Schedule your Annual Wellness Visit and ask when your cholesterol test is due
- Walk most days and build up gradually
- Track your blood pressure at home and share the numbers
- Ask your doctor before starting or stopping daily aspirin
- If you've had a heart event, ask about Medicare-covered cardiac rehab
→ Medicare Cardiac Rehab Coverage
→ High Blood Pressure in Seniors
→ Lower Blood Pressure Naturally