Seniors: Take Aim Against Silent Killers

Posted: Thursday, March 14, 2013 6:44 am | Updated: 2:33 am, Sat Mar 16, 2013.

Seniors: Take Aim Against Silent Killers By NAPS,
North American Precis Syndicate sedaliademocrat.com

(NAPSI)—If you’re age 65 or older, odds are you have a chronic condition. According to the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, about 80 percent of seniors in the U.S. have at least one chronic condition. The most common chronic conditions among seniors are “silent killers”—diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease that often have no physical symptoms. Despite their silent nature, these conditions may result in life-threatening complications, disability and significant costs if not properly managed.

“A chronic condition like diabetes or heart disease should not be taken lightly,” says Rhonda Randall, D.O., geriatrician and chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Medicare & Retirement. “It’s important to get screened for these illnesses annually, even if you don’t have symptoms. If you have a chronic condition, educate yourself and take action to help reduce your risk of serious complications.”