Aging and the Heart

Many changes occur in the human body with age. Some normal changes that happen in the heart are listed below:

Slightly slower heart rate happens due to the development of fibrous tissue and fat deposits in the pathway of the natural pacemaker system of the heart.
Slight increase in the size of the heart causes the heart to fill more slowly.
Walls of the left ventricle of the heart thicken and reduce its capacity to hold blood.
Thickening or stiffening of the valves inside the heart can cause heart murmur.
Baroreceptors, which monitor and maintain constant blood pressure with change in body position, become less sensitive. This causes dizziness due to sudden drop in blood pressure when a person goes from lying down to standing up.
Arteries of the heart become thicker, stiffer, and less flexible. This leads to increase in the blood pressure.

This is why having a healthy heart is especially important as we age. There are things you can do to keep your heart healthy and strong.

These include eating healthy, reducing stress, and exercising. Doing these things will help prevent heart disease.

Healthy Hearts