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How to keep your heart healthy as you age
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in America. Learning more about the most common types of cardiovascular problems is essential for a longer, more active life.
Most of us know that chest pain is a telltale sign of a heart problem. But heart attacks are only one kind of cardiovascular issue, and the risk for most of them goes up with every passing year. That’s why as you get older, it pays to know more about the different types of heart disease if you want to stay on top of your cardiovascular health.
“The majority of heart problems affect older adults," says Pavan D. Kapadia, MD., a cardiologist with AdventHealth in Tampa, Florida.
Talking with your healthcare provider regularly about your heart health and screenings can help you spot any potential problems early — when they are more easily treated. One convenient way to do this is with your yearly Matrix in-home health and wellness assessment.
“This visit is always a good opportunity to have that conversation," says Matrix Medical Network clinician Tracy Jones, APRN, FNP-C. She is a family nurse practitioner in Shelton, Connecticut.
Matrix clinicians are a great resource to learn more about how your heart disease risk increases as you age — and the steps you can take to keep your cardiovascular system healthy. Find out more about the most common age-related heart-health issues.
What is heart disease?
Heart disease is a general term for many types of heart problems, including an irregular heartbeat, blood vessel diseases, and heart valve problems. Most of them stem from a blood vessel condition known as atherosclerosis. That's when plaque builds up in your arteries and makes them narrower. That reduces blood flow to the heart and can eventually cause a blockage, which can lead to a heart attack, stroke, or heart failure.
Heart disease is the top cause of death in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). But you do have a lot of control over whether it happens to you. It starts with knowing your risk factors, the symptoms of heart disease, and having key heart-health screenings.
Have questions about your health? A Matrix in-home health visit is a great time to get answers from a licensed clinician — plus, it’s part of your plan! Call 877-302-3672 877-302-3672 to schedule.
Heart disease risk factors
Certain health conditions and behaviors can increase your chances for heart disease. The more of them you have, the greater the odds become that you will be diagnosed with it.
Some of these factors are under your control. You can work with your healthcare provider to manage them. These include:
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Being overweight or obese
- Diabetes or prediabetes
- Unhealthy diet
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Smoking
Other heart disease risk factors can't be changed. These include:
- Being over 55 (for women) or over 45 (for men)
- Family history of heart disease
- History of preeclampsia (high blood pressure during pregnancy)
5 common heart problems for seniors
The more you know about these age-related heart conditions, the more power you have to avoid them. Jones says it’s key to make sure you get the right screenings, since some problems don’t have noticeable symptoms. If you do notice symptoms, discuss them with your clinician right away. And if you are experiencing chest pain or shortness of breath, don’t call your doctor. Dial 911.
1. Coronary artery disease (CAD)
This is the most common type of heart disease. It happens when plaque buildup in the arteries limits or blocks blood flow to the heart. When left untreated, CAD can lead to:
- Angina, or chest pain
- Heart attacks
- Heart failure, when the heart can't pump enough blood to meet your body's needs
- Arrhythmia, or heart rhythm problems
Symptoms: Chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, or fatigue. If an artery is completely blocked, it can cause a heart attack.
Screening: Your CAD risk is based on factors like your weight, waist size, blood pressure, cholesterol levels, and other preexisting conditions (like diabetes). Your Matrix clinician will check for these things during your yearly in-home health assessment.
2. High blood pressure
High blood pressure happens when your blood puts higher-than-normal pressure on your arteries. That can cause a heart attack or stroke. It can also cause other health issues like dementia and kidney disease. Blood pressure between 130/80 mm Hg and 140/80 mm Hg is considered high.
Symptoms: High blood pressure usually has no symptoms or warning signs. Most people don't know that they have it without being tested.
Screening: You’ll have a blood pressure check during your annual Matrix in-home health assessment. It’s fast and easy. Your provider will put a blood pressure cuff on your arm to take a reading in about a minute.
3. High cholesterol
Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by your liver. Your body needs some cholesterol to function. But too much of it can cause plaque to build up in your arteries. Inactivity, obesity, and an unhealthy diet can make your cholesterol levels high, as can smoking or having a family history of the disease. High cholesterol levels can lead to a heart attack or stroke. Your cholesterol is high if it's above 200 mg/dL.
Symptoms: Like high blood pressure, high cholesterol doesn't usually cause symptoms. But you’re more likely to have it if you have type 2 diabetes, are overweight, or have a family history of high cholesterol.
Screening: Regular blood tests can help you keep tabs on your cholesterol. Your Matrix clinician can let your primary care provider know if you need a blood test to check your cholesterol.
4. Peripheral artery disease (PAD)
PAD is a condition where the blood vessels in your limbs, particularly your legs, become narrowed or blocked from plaque. It can limit blood flow to your legs, which can be uncomfortable and make it harder to walk. It can also increase your chances of a heart attack or stroke. In some cases, the problem could even cause a person to need toes, feet, or legs amputated.
Symptoms: Leg pain or heaviness when walking that goes away with rest; leg pain that wakes you up; slow-healing sores on your toes, feet, or legs; blue or pale feet; one leg feels cold to the touch; slow-growing toenails.
Screening: Diagnosing PAD starts with a simple screening called an ankle brachial index test. The test uses small sensors to check how much blood is flowing through your arms and legs. Your Matrix in-home health assessment may include a PAD screening.
5. Congestive heart failure (CHF)
Heart failure doesn’t mean a person’s heart has stopped working. It means that their heart can’t pump enough blood to meet their body’s needs. That can cause problems such as breathing problems, kidney or liver damage, or high blood pressure.
Symptoms: Shortness of breath (especially when active or lying flat), weakness, coughing, swelling in the ankles or feet, nausea, loss of appetite, needing to urinate often.
Screening: There’s no screening for CHF. Your provider will conduct a physical exam and assess your symptoms to diagnose the condition. They may also order certain tests to check your heart function.
What habits can keep your heart healthy
What’s good for your overall health overall is good for your heart. These are the heart-healthy habits cardiologists recommend.
Exercise regularly. Movement strengthens your heart and helps it pump blood more easily into the lungs and the rest of the body. That means more oxygen gets to all your tissues. Exercise also widens your blood vessels so they can deliver more nutrients and remove more waste.
Plus, being active helps your blood pressure and cholesterol levels in a healthy range. It can also help you lose weight. Current physical activity guidelines encourage healthy adults to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity each week.
Eat healthy. A heart-healthy diet includes plenty of fruit and vegetables, whole grains, and lean sources of protein (beans, fish, lean meat). In addition to being high in vitamins, these foods will help you keep a healthy weight and lower your cholesterol.
Try to limit:
- Highly processed foods, which often contain added sugar and/or added salt. These can damage your blood vessels, raise your blood pressure, and make your heart work harder.
- Foods high in saturated fat, which can block your blood vessels.
- Alcohol, which can raise your blood pressure and heart rate.
Quit tobacco. Chemicals in tobacco damage the heart and blood vessels. Smoking also forces the heart to work harder to deliver enough oxygen to your tissues. Over time, that weakens its ability to pump well. Talk to your doctor or Matrix clinician if you need help quitting.
Get to a healthy weight. When you’re overweight or obese, your heart has to work harder to pump blood. That can increase your risk of high blood pressure. Extra weight can raise your fat and blood sugar levels. This can lead to high cholesterol and type 2 diabetes.
Manage day-to-day stress. According to the American Heart Association, chronic stress contributes to risk factors that can lead to heart disease and stroke. This includes high blood pressure, inflammation and the buildup of plaque in arteries, diabetes, and depression and anxiety. Hobbies, spending time in nature, physical activity, and quality time with family and friends can help you unwind and feel calm.
Prioritize sleep. Your blood pressure goes down when you sleep. If you’re tossing and turning or experiencing other sleep problems, your blood pressure stays higher for longer. If you have trouble regularly getting the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night, talk to your doctor to rule out a health problem that’s getting in the way of quality rest.
How heart disease is treated
Treatment for heart disease depends on a person’s specific symptoms. Jones says that treatment plans are tailored for each individual patient.
Taking prescription medications is usually the first step, says Dr. Kapadia. Your doctor might prescribe drugs to manage your blood pressure, cholesterol, or diabetes. They’ll also encourage you to make healthy lifestyle changes. Choosing healthy foods, being more active, losing weight, prioritizing sleep, and quitting smoking can all make a big difference.
If you’ve been diagnosed with CAD, your doctor may recommend a minimally invasive medical procedure called stenting. This is when a cardiologist inserts small mesh tubes into blood vessels to help keep them open. That allows more blood to flow through.
Stenting surgery comes with some risks. So it may be a better fit for those in their 60s or 70s, Dr. Kapadia says. But some people in their 80s may also be good candidates.
See our sources:
Heart disease: American Heart Association, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
Coronary artery disease: Mayo Clinic, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
High blood pressure: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Peripheral artery disease: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
High Cholesterol: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Congestive heart failure: National Library of Medicine
Stenting: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
