What happens to your heart as you get older
As we age, visible changes like shifts in skin, muscle tone, and hair color are readily apparent. However, less obvious—but equally significant—changes occur within the heart. This February, during Heart Health Month, we explored these age-related cardiac transformations with Dr. Anish Bhuva, a consultant cardiologist at HCA Healthcare UK The Wellington Hospital, and the proactive steps individuals can take to maintain heart health throughout their lives.
The Aging Heart: What Changes Can We Expect?
Heart Muscle and Size
Dr. Bhuva explains that, similar to other muscles in the body, the heart muscle tends to lose mass over time. While this process is natural, the heart muscle also becomes thinner with age. He notes that this thinning doesn’t typically cause harm, but is a demonstrable effect of aging.
Aortic Stenosis: Wear and Tear on Heart Valves
The heart contains four valves that open and close with each heartbeat, ensuring efficient blood flow. Over a lifetime, these valves experience wear and tear. According to the British Heart Foundation’s website, this can lead to aortic stenosis, a narrowing of the aortic valve. Dr. Bhuva describes this as a gradual degeneration, potentially involving calcium build-up, causing the valve to stiffen and impede blood flow.
Stiffening of Blood Vessels and Arteries
A hallmark of aging is the increasing stiffness of the aorta and blood vessels. Dr. Bhuva emphasizes that this stiffness elevates the risk of both stroke and heart disease.
Reduced Heart Rate Variability
As we age, the heart’s ability to increase its rate during physical activity diminishes. While many individuals tolerate this change, others may require support, such as a pacemaker, to manage any resulting symptoms.
Electrical System Changes
“With time, you can also get wear and tear of the electrical wires within the heart,” Dr. Bhuva adds. This wear and tear can, in some cases, lead to irregular heart rhythms, manifesting as fluttering sensations, dizziness, or even fainting, though some individuals may experience no symptoms at all.
Increased Heart Attack Risk
Dr. Bhuva states that age is the most common risk factor for a heart attack, with the likelihood increasing with middle age and beyond. He stresses the importance of proactively identifying and addressing factors that could accelerate these degenerative processes.
Protecting Your Heart Health: Proactive Steps
Lifestyle Modifications
Dr. Bhuva recommends several key lifestyle changes to combat these age-related effects. Quitting smoking is paramount, as smoking damages arteries and promotes cholesterol plaque build-up. Regular monitoring of blood pressure and cholesterol levels is also crucial, with health checks recommended annually for those over 40.
Diet and Exercise
A healthy diet, rich in fruits and vegetables (“your five-a-day”), is essential. Dr. Bhuva advises reducing red meat consumption and increasing intake of oily fish, beneficial for cholesterol levels, and minimizing artificial sugars. Perhaps most importantly, he encourages incorporating regular physical activity into daily life, even simple activities like walking, to slow down the aging process in the cardiovascular system.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens to the heart muscle as we get older?
The heart muscle, like other muscles in the body, tends to lose mass and become thinner with age, according to Dr. Bhuva.
What is aortic stenosis?
Aortic stenosis is a narrowing of the aortic valve, which can occur due to wear and tear and calcium build-up, hindering blood flow, as explained by Dr. Bhuva and detailed on the British Heart Foundation’s website.
What is the most important thing I can do to protect my heart health?
Dr. Bhuva states that the most beneficial thing you can do is to start moving in whatever way you can, even small levels of exercise like walking every day.
Considering the natural changes the heart undergoes with age, what small steps can you take today to prioritize your cardiovascular health?