There are also natural changes that happen as we age that we can’t see because they’re happening on the inside of the body. The heart is a key example of this. Heart health changes as we age, but these changes aren’t always obvious.
While aging is a risk factor that we can’t change, it’s also true that age alone doesn’t tell the whole story when it comes to heart health. Here, a Cleveland Clinic cardiologist shares how heart health changes, decade by decade, and what you can do to lower your risk of cardiovascular disease as you grow older.
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He says these are the years when people start being more proactive about their health, including going to the doctor for an annual checkup, which includes a blood pressure and cholesterol check. If you haven’t been prioritizing your health, these tests will reflect that.
Dr. Singh emphasizes that plaque buildup in the arteries is something that happens slowly over time. It can raise blood pressure without you even realizing it until a cardiovascular event (such as a heart attack) occurs. In this way, the habits you have in your 30s can either contribute to plaque buildup or prevent it.
Having high blood pressure in your 30s is a major sign to get it under control. Otherwise, it could become life-threatening in the future.
In your 40s
“Your 40s are when risk really starts accelerating, particularly for men,” Dr. Singh says, explaining that men typically develop cardiovascular disease a decade earlier than women on average.
Dr. Singh adds that the consequences of family history (like high blood pressure or high cholesterol) start to show up.
The 50s are a big decade for heart health, particularly for women. “Estrogen provides significant cardiovascular protection. It keeps blood vessels more flexible and less rigid,” Dr. Singh says. During menopause, estrogen levels decline. This means women lose the extra protection that estrogen provides. “Menopause doesn’t necessarily cause heart disease, but when you lose that protective effect, it can lead to arterial stiffness and higher cholesterol,” he explains.
In your 60s and beyond
The older you get, the higher your risk of heart disease—even if you’ve had healthy habits in place for decades. Dr. Singh explains that this is because inflammation accumulates slowly over time. As we age, arteries become stiffer and heart walls become thicker.
Need proof? According to a scientific study published in Nicotine & Tobacco Research, smokers who quit using tobacco in their 60s gained about three years of life expectancy compared to those who continued smoking. This is just one example of how changing your habits—even when you’re 60 or older—can impact health.
Can You Slow How Fast Your Heart Ages?
He says that many of his patients in their 50s and 60s have a heart that shows few signs of aging, a combination of good genetics and healthy habits. On the other hand, someone in their 40s who smokes, lives a sedentary lifestyle, doesn’t eat nutritionally-rich foods and has a family history of cardiovascular disease can show premature signs of cardiovascular aging.
It’s hard to know what kind of shape your heart is in without getting your blood pressure and cholesterol levels checked. If you don’t know your numbers, consider this your sign to get an appointment with your healthcare provider on the books. That way, you and your doctor can assess your heart health and take steps that will keep you healthy now and in the decades to come.
Related: This Is the #1 Best High-Protein Snack for Heart Health, According to Cardiologists
Sources:
Clayton, Z.S., Craighead, D.H., Darvish, S., et al. (2023). Promoting healthy cardiovascular aging: emerging topics.The Journal of Cardiovascular Aging. 2:43. doi: 10.20517/jca.2022.27Dr. Abhayjit Singh, MD, cardiologist with the Cleveland ClinicMaas, A. and Appelman, Y. (2010). Gender differences in coronary heart disease. Netherlands Heart Journal. 18(12):598-602Xiang, D., Liu, Y., Zhou, S., et al. (2021). Protective Effects of Estrogen on Cardiovascular Disease Mediated by Oxidative Stress.Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. 2021:5523516. doi: 10.1155/2021/5523516Hurtado, M.D., Saadedine, M., Kapoor, E., et al. (2024). Weight Gain in Midlife Women. Current Obesity Reports. 13(2):353-363Csige, I., Ujvárosy, D., Szabó, Z., et al. (2018). The Impact of Obesity on the Cardiovascular System. Journal of Diabetes Research. 2018:3407306. doi: 10.1155/2018/3407306 Cohen-Mansfield, J. (2016). Predictors of Smoking Cessation in Old-Old Age. Nicotine & Tobacco Research. 18(7): 1675-1679Hence then, the article about what your heart looks like at 30 40 50 and beyond and why age alone doesn t tell the whole story was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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