Therefore, while health needs may be greater, this group has some level of health insurance. This measure has an impact on the health of the elderly in that those living alone may have less access to health care due to lack of reliable transportation. This measure also speaks to the isolation and vulnerability of the elderly who have no family or friends in close proximity. The data show heart disease mortality for the age group. Excluded from the data were cerebrovascular deaths.
Older people are more susceptible to heart disease deaths than are younger people.
Women over age 65 are at equal risk as men for heart disease. Persons who have a heart attack and survive may suffer from long term health effects because of heart damage as a direct result of the attack. Smoking, lack of exercise, obesity and diabetes all increase the risk and severity of heart disease. Cerebrovascular deaths are more commonly referred to as death due to stroke and stroke is common in people over age 65 years. About one in three strokes is fatal.