Living Well in Your Next Chapter: Heart Health, Wellness, and Helpful Tools

Heart Health, Wellness, and Helpful Tools

February is Heart Health Month, making it a natural time to pause and check in — not just on your heart, but on the everyday habits, preventive care, and resources that support overall well-being. Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States, affecting both women and men.

For many people in their 50s, 60s, and beyond, staying healthy isn’t about doing everything at once. It’s about feeling informed and confident as priorities shift and routines change. The good news is that many of these pieces work together in simple ways, making it easier to manage your health and plan ahead.

Caring for Your Health in Everyday Life

As we get older, certain topics tend to move to the top of the list — things like blood pressure, cholesterol, and staying active enough to support long-term well-being. Many of these changes happen gradually, which is why regular check-ins and awareness matter.

Supporting your health and wellness doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. Habits like regular walking, simple balanced meals, managing stress, and keeping up with routine checkups can make a difference.  Both meaningful lifestyle changes and steady day-to-day habits play an important role over time.   Remember, it’s all about crafting a system that works for you- whether it’s “But First Coffee…”, healthy breakfast and a morning walk.  Keeping it simple and repeatable will help make your wellness journey successful.  

Support That Helps You Stay on Track

Knowing your numbers is a good starting point — but feeling supported as you manage your care over time matters just as much.

Medicare includes preventive services designed to support early health planning, such as wellness visits and routine screenings. Many health plans also offer simple digital or phone-based options that help you stay organized and informed along the way. You don’t need to be tech-savvy to benefit — even basic resources can add clarity and reassurance.

How Medicare Can Support Heart Health & Preventive Wellness

It may come as a surprise to learn that Medicare places a strong emphasis on prevention, not just treatment.

Depending on your coverage, preventive care may include:

1. Annual Wellness Visits
   
   
2. Blood pressure and cholesterol checks
   
   
3. Diabetes screenings
   
   
4. A cardiovascular disease screening once every five years at no cost to you
   
   
5. Other preventive screenings recommended by your provider

These visits are designed to help you plan ahead, monitor changes, and address concerns early. Knowing what’s included can make preventive care feel more approachable and easier to navigate.



If you’d like assistance learning more about the preventive benefits included in your coverage, you’re welcome to contact our office to schedule a benefits review.

How Medicare Can Support Heart Health & Preventive Wellness

Wellness looks different for everyone, especially at this stage of life. For many people, it’s less about intensity and more about consistency and balance  — finding realistic routines that fit your needs and lifestyle.

Consider including these areas on your personal wellness checklist:

There’s no single right approach. What matters most is choosing habits that feel realistic and supportive over time for YOU.

Beuttel Tip: Simple Tools That Can Help

Good news friends -You don’t have to be tech-savvy to use helpful tools! 

Many health plans offer simple options that can make preventive care easier to manage.

Depending on your coverage, this might include:

• Phone support or online member access to review benefits or find providers
  
• A mobile app or secure website to view plan details or access a digital ID card
• If you’re coverage is with Imperial Health plan of California, there is a free app provided with your membership called Nymbl that focuses on fall prevention and bladder support.
  

Feeling a little adventurous?

You might also enjoy trying a fitness tracker. These can monitor things like heart rate, daily steps, calorie consumption, sleep and more — a fun, simple way to stay aware of your health. I personally find them really helpful for staying on track.

Popular Fitness & Health Tracking Tools to Explore

• WHOOP - a screen-free wearable that focuses on recovery, sleep, and heart rate trends.
• Apple Watch - which offers activity tracking and heart-related features depending on the model.
• Oura Ring - a discreet ring designed to track sleep quality, readiness, activity, and heart insights

Some people are also interested in at-home health testing as a way to better understand their overall wellness.  Services such as Superpower, LetsGetChecked, and Everlywell offer lab testing options that can be completed from home and reviewed with a healthcare provider.

If you’re unsure what tools are available to you, you can contact your plan’s Member Services number or reach out to our office for guidance.

My Final Thoughts…

You don’t need to do everything at once. One appointment, one habit, or one thoughtful change can be enough to move in a positive direction.

Living well in your next chapter is about balance — taking care of your health while still enjoying everyday life, and knowing where to turn when questions arise.

At Beuttel, we believe clarity and guidance make a difference. If you’d like to better understand your coverage, contact our office to schedule a benefits review.