Below is a list of health-related issues of the heart that are generally connected with ageing.
It is a common belief that once we have reached a certain age that our health will start to decline, and we accept the aches, pains and loss of vitality as just a normal part of the ageing process. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
Everything listed below is related to our lifestyle and most of these health issues and diseases are classified as being preventable and will often be treated successfully with Lifestyle Medicine. It’s important to understand that our relationship with our body and the way we live has a substantial impact on our health and well-being.
In other words–the way we eat, sleep, work, walk, exercise, play, communicate and interact with each other impacts our vitality in a significant way.
So, the elder years can be a beautiful time of life, but unfortunately today many in our older generation are not enjoying the health, vitality, vibrancy and wisdom that they naturally could have.
The great news to take away is:
It is never too late to start looking after yourself and making those much needed, loving changes that will always have some impact in your life, health and wellbeing.
Weight
As you age, things can slow down and habits can accumulate resulting in weight gain which increases the risk of obesity, high blood pressure, insulin resistance and high cholesterol to name a few and they all raise the risk of developing heart disease.
Hardening of the cardiovascular system
Ageing arteries can get stiffer and even your heart muscle itself can stiffen as well which makes it harder for the body to pump your blood throughout your body.
The risk for Atherosclerosis – so called hardening and narrowing of arteries – increases with age if cholesterol, fats and fatty substances known as plaque build up on the inner wall of your arteries that restrict the blood flow to the heart.
Blood pressure
The risk of getting high blood pressure is 90% in the age group 60+ but many are dealing with this already in their 50’s and younger. High blood pressure can harden the inner lining (endothelial cells) of your blood vessels which stiffens them and increases the risk of getting a blockage dramatically.
Heart Rhythm
Irregular heartbeat, also called atrial fibrillation, is one of the leading causes of stokes in older adults. It can cause a blood clot to form and if that clot breaks away and ends up in the brain it can cause a stroke.
Heart Atack
The older we get the higher is the risk of having a heart attack. On average, it is recorded that men have their first heart attack around 65 and women around 72.
The later stage for women is explained with the effect that estrogen has on keeping arteries more flexible, but this protection decreases with lower amounts of estrogen after menopause, around 50).
Stress
Broken heart syndrome is a condition with temporary shortness of breath or chest pain, and this affects women particularly after a highly intense, stressful event like a divorce, a death of a loved one, injury or traumatic health diagnosis. It generally affects people over 50.
Sleep
Ageing influences your sleep quality as the part of the brain that controls sleep can be affected and slow down, resulting in less deeply restful sleep. With less rebuilding sleep, the quality and health of your cardiovascular system can struggle and lead to higher risk of heart disease.
Salt
Interestingly, when we age our body does not deal as well with our salt intake. Salt intake is linked to high blood pressure and heart disease.
Diabetes
As we age, or maybe as we have more time to accumulate unhealthy habits, the risk of developing Type II Diabetes increases. High blood sugar levels over time can damage our cardiovascular system. After menopause, the female body may no longer use insulin as effectively anymore.
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