While strides are being made in health care to reduce the number of people affected by heart disease, it’s still not enough. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), heart disease remains the leading cause of death for people age 65 and older.¹

How can older adults prevent heart disease?

In addition to getting adequate exercise every week and following a heart-healthy diet, one of the most important things you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease is to take advantage of your Medicare preventative benefits.

Below are four simple steps that can help you protect your heart and stay healthy as you age.

1. Heart disease screenings. If you have Medicare, you can receive a cardiovascular disease screening once every five years. This is covered under Medicare Part B. It should cost you nothing as long as your provider accepts Medicare. 
   
   During this screening, your provider will look for early warning signs and explain your risk for heart disease. This includes simple blood tests to check cholesterol and fats in your blood, which can help catch problems before a heart attack or stroke.
   
   During the screening, your doctor may also provide you with tips and resources to improve your health, such as adjusting your eating habits. Keep in mind they may also suggest services Medicare doesn't cover (or that are offered more often than Medicare allows). This could mean extra out-of-pocket costs for you. Be sure to ask whether Medicare will pay for additional services.
2. Diabetes screening and management. Diabetes is a serious metabolic disorder that causes your body to under-produce and/or not use insulin in the right way. Over time, high blood glucose from diabetes can damage your blood vessels and the nerves that control your heart and blood vessels, increasing your risk of developing heart disease.
   
   If you have certain risk factors for diabetes (such as high blood pressure or obesity), you may be eligible for up to two blood glucose screenings each year. These screenings may involve glucose tests (fasting or non-fasting), A1C tests, or other types of tests deemed appropriate by Medicare. If you have Part B and your doctor accepts Medicare, these screenings cost you nothing.
   
   The longer you have diabetes, the higher the chance you will develop heart disease. If you notice unexplained weight loss, increased urination, or blurry vision—or you start to feel more tired, hungry, or thirsty than usual—contact your doctor right away and ask about the Medicare-covered screening.
   
   The good news is the steps you take to manage your diabetes also help to lower your chances of having heart disease or stroke.
3. Chronic disease self-management. Nearly 93% of older adults have at least one chronic condition, and nearly 79% have two or more.² If you have a chronic condition like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or diabetes, you significantly increase your risk of developing heart disease, along with many other conditions.
   
   Chronic Disease Self-Management Programs (CDSMP) are six-week long interactive workshops (online or in-person) that help attendees manage conditions, improve quality of life, and lower health care costs.
   
   Many CDSMPs are free or low-cost for people with Medicare. They're commonly offered through Area Agencies on Aging, health systems, and community centers. To find a program in your community, contact your local Area Agency on Aging.
4. Healthy lifestyle habits. Improving your diet and making small changes to your daily routine can drastically improve your health and reduce your risk for heart disease and other chronic conditions. A great first step would be reducing your intake of processed foods and adding more fresh fruits and vegetables to your diet.
   
   To help maintain a heart-healthy diet, Medicare covers a service called Medical Nutrition Therapy (MNT). With MNT, a registered dietician or qualified nutrition professional provides nutritional assessment, one-on-one counseling, and group counseling services to eligible Medicare beneficiaries. You'll receive expert advice on what to eat (and what to avoid) and learn how various foods can impact your heart and overall health.
   
   To qualify for MNT, a doctor must refer you. Also, you must have diabetes or kidney disease, or have had a kidney transplant in the last three years. Medicare covers the full cost of these services under Part B as long as you qualify.
   
   Smoking is another lifestyle habit that increases your risk of heart disease and other chronic conditions by damaging your blood vessels. Medicare offers eight in-person smoking cessation sessions a year to help beneficiaries quit smoking. There's no cost under Medicare Part B as long as you visit a provider who accepts Medicare assignment. 

Want more tips to help you make the most of your Medicare benefits? Visit our Medicare resource library.

Sources

1.    Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Older Adult Health. Found on the internet at https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/older-american-health.htm 

2. Kathleen B. Watson, et al. Trends in Multiple Chronic Conditions Among US Adults, By Life Stage, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2013-2023. Preventing Chronic Disease. April 17, 2025. Found on the internet at: https://www.cdc.gov/pcd/issues/2025/24_0539.htm