Does aging affect your heart? The answer is yes. Aging increases the risk of heart problems. However, with good lifestyle habits, you can prevent or delay the effects of age on your heart health. Learn how age affects your heart and tips to maintain heart health in this article. Get a consultation with the best cardiologists in Brooklyn.
What happens to your heart as you age?
As you age, your heart becomes more prone to diseases and problems. If your age is 65 or above you are more at risk of heart attack, stroke, coronary heart disease, or heart failure compared to younger population. Why? It happens because when you age your body goes through numerous changes which also affect your heart and blood vessels. There’s a reason that aging increases a person’s risk of heart disease. It happens because over the years fatty deposits buildup happens in the walls of arteries which can increase your risk of heart disease. Another reason for increased stiffness of the large arteries is called arteriosclerosis. It is caused due to high blood pressure which is common as we age. These factors limit the oxygen-rich blood flow into all parts of your body which can lead to heart problems such as coronary artery disease. However, with good lifestyle habits, you can delay or prevent these factors that lead to heart problems as you age.
Tips to maintain heart health
Here are some lifestyle habits tips that keep your heart healthy in the long run.
- Keep yourself physically active:
When you keep yourself physically active it is beneficial for your overall physical health including heart health. You can talk with your doctor about what physical activity is best for you.
The aim should be to stay physically active for at least 150 minutes a week. You can start activities that you enjoy such as brisk walking, dancing, cycling, gardening, and yoga. Do not sit for long hours every day. - Eat a heart-healthy diet:
As you get older, your diet plays a very crucial role in your heart health. If your diet includes saturated or fatty foods, then you increase the risk of high blood pressure and/or heart disease. In contrast, if you choose foods that are low in saturated fats, sugars, and salt, it keeps your heart healthy.
You can add foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, nuts, seeds, etc. These foods will fulfill the requirement of nutrition that your body needs. Do not skip your breakfast. You can ask your healthcare provider about a diet plan that suits your lifestyle and keeps you healthy. - Quit smoking (if you do):
Smoking is a habit that everyone should avoid. It has no benefits for your mental and physical health. It can damage your artery walls which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, heart attack, or even cancer. It can damage your lungs and cause asthma or other lung problems. It’s never too late to quit smoking and decrease your risk of these problems. There is a lot of information out there that can help you quit smoking. You can also get professional help to learn coping skills to quit smoking or join a support group to help you get rid of this habit. - Maintain a healthy weight:
Having a good weight can decrease your risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, breathing issues, and certain types of cancer. Because being overweight or obese can increase the risk of these conditions. That’s why if your BMI (Body Mass Index) is above 25, then you should consider losing weight to maintain good heart and physical health. Ask your healthcare provider about the diet and exercise plan that can help you lose weight effectively. - Know your numbers:
Your cholesterol and blood pressure are the two most common factors that affect your heart health. To ensure they stay at healthy levels you need to measure them regularly with your healthcare provider. It can be managed easily with the help of diet, exercise, and medication.
These tips keep your heart healthy with aging. Aging is a natural body process. You cannot escape aging. However, with good lifestyle habits, you can keep preventing the body from losing its functionality and live a better life.
If you need consultation from a vascular surgeon, call us on +1 (718) 971-1942. The Cardiologists at Doral Health and Wellness consistently have outstanding patient satisfaction ratings. You can get excellent information about the benefits of the elderly at both Doral Health and Wellness and HouseCalls Home Care. People with disabilities or chronic illnesses can benefit from enrolling in a managed long-term care program since it ensures they will always receive the same quality of care. Get your doctor’s approval before beginning any new fitness program. If you have any additional inquiries, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@doralhw.org, over the phone on +1 (718) 971-1942.
