If you’re in your 50s and you’ve spent your life thus far in good health, you likely haven’t worried too much about your heart. While it’s certainly not good for your mental health (or heart, for that matter) to lose sleep worrying about your cardiovascular health, it is important to be aware of how heart health changes as we age.
“As we age, the cardiovascular system changes. Arteries tend to become stiffer, blood pressure rises and plaque can build up in the arteries over time,” says Dr. Alberto Morales, MD, the owner of South Tampa Cardiology with expertise in preventive cardiology and advanced cardiac imaging, including the use of Arineta’s SpotLight CT scanner to support earlier detection of cardiovascular disease.
Related: We Asked 3 Cardiologists What Heart Disease Symptom You Should Never Ignore, and They All Said The Same Thing
This is why the risk for heart disease increases with age. At the same time that arteries are becoming stiffer and plaque is building up, Dr. Morales says that metabolic changes commonly occur with aging, including higher cholesterol, insulin resistance, changes in body fat and increased inflammation, all of which contribute to increasing cardiovascular risk as we get older.
“These changes can eventually lead to heart disease, which remains a leading cause of death for women,” Dr. Morales says.
Having heart-healthy habits in place can help lower your risk of cardiovascular disease. With that in mind, we asked two cardiologists what afternoon habit they wish women 50 and older would break. They both had the exact same answer.
Related: The Supplement Cardiologists Say Is a Waste of Money for Heart Health
Heart Health Risks Every Woman 50 and Older Should Know
Dr. Nisha Parikh, MD, MPH, the director of cardiovascular medicine at the Katz Institute for Women’s Health and the system director of the Women’s Heart Program in the Department of Cardiology at Northwell Health, says that the risk of heart disease increases for all women with age.
Dr. Parikh explains that as risk factors accumulate in women (such as high blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, prediabetes and diabetes), the heart muscle can thicken. It can also have a harder time relaxing, and the arteries often stiffen and can develop lipid plaque. “Over time, these changes can lead to heart failure, heart attacks and stroke,” she says.
On top of that, Dr. Morales says that menopause brings with it another added risk. He explains that estrogen provides cardiovascular protection, so as it declines during menopause, that protection is lost.
If during pregnancy you experienced preeclampsia, gestational diabetes or preterm delivery, Dr. Parikh says it’s extra important to be mindful of your heart health as you age because these adverse pregnancy outcomes are associated with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease later in life.
Related: Cardiologists Swear by a Heart Health ‘Rule’ That’s Shockingly Easy
The Afternoon Habit Women 50 and Older Should Avoid
When asked what afternoon habit they wish women 50 and older would avoid as a way to support their heart health, they both had the exact same answer: being sedentary after eating.
“Rather than sitting and digesting, I recommend taking a 10 to 15-minute walk after eating. Blood sugar and cholesterol levels tend to spike after a meal, so staying active during that time is a simple, healthy habit,” Dr. Morales says.
Dr. Parikh adds to this, saying that the insulin spikes are especially common after eating something sweet. That means you could definitely benefit from going on a short walk after enjoying a sweet afternoon treat.
Both cardiologists point out that being sedentary is a risk factor for heart disease. According to a 2025 scientific analysis published in Medicine, the more time people spent watching TV, the greater their risk was for cardiovascular disease. Researchers also found that physical activity mitigated this risk.
“Over time, not taking a short walk after eating can lead to eating more, moving less and weight gain. As we age, that weight tends to accumulate in the belly, where it may be even more harmful to the heart,” Dr. Parikh says.
?SIGN UP for tips to stay healthy & fit with the top moves, clean eats, health trends & more delivered right to your inbox twice a week?
Healthy Afternoon Habits That Support Heart Health
Dr. Morales says that one of the best ways to support heart health is to integrate physical activity into your daily routine. That way, it becomes an automatic habit that you don’t have to think about. Going on a short walk after eating lunch or an afternoon snack is a great example of this.
When you are deciding what to eat for an afternoon snack, Dr. Parikh recommends grabbing a handful of nuts and some fruit. This two-ingredient snack takes zero prep or cooking time and is packed with nutrients that support heart health. Nuts and fruit are both high in fiber and antioxidants, while the nuts are a good source of unsaturated fats, which help lower cholesterol and inflammation. The unsaturated fats are also satiating. That way, you won’t be hunting around for another snack 30 minutes later.
“Many risk factors for heart disease are reversible with a heart-healthy diet and movement. It’s never too late to make improvements and increase heart health, wellness and longevity,” Dr. Parikh says.
By going on a short walk after lunch or your afternoon snack, you’ll be taking literal steps to benefit your heart. That’s something future you will definitely be grateful for.
Up Next:
Related: ‘I’m a Cardiologist—This Is the Simple Dinner Swap That Makes a Big Difference in Heart Health’
Sources
Dr. Alberto Morales, MD, the owner of South Tampa Cardiology with expertise in preventive cardiology and advanced cardiac imaging, including the use of Arineta’s SpotLight CT scanner to support earlier detection of cardiovascular disease. Heart Health and Aging. National Institute on Aging. Dr. Nisha Parikh, MD, MPH, director of cardiovascular medicine at the Katz Institute for Women’s Health and the system director of the Women’s Heart Program in the Department of Cardiology at Northwell Health. Xiang, D., Liu, Y., Zhou, S., et al. (2021). Protective Effects of Estrogen on Cardiovascular Disease Mediated by Oxidative Stress. Oxidative Medicine and Cellular Longevity. doi: 10.1155/2021/5523516. Cao, Y., Hao, Q., Xia, N., et al. (2025). Exploring the causal relationship between sedentary behavior and cardiovascular disease: A two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis. Medicine. 104(37):e44543.Hence then, the article about the one afternoon habit cardiologists wish more women over 50 would break 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.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( The One Afternoon Habit Cardiologists Wish More Women Over 50 Would Break )
Also on site :
- ‘Coyote vs. Acme’ Star Will Forte, Director Celebrate Film Finally Hitting Theaters After Being Shelved by Warner Bros.: “Proof Movies Don’t Just Go Away”
- Shoppers Walked 15,000 Steps in These ‘Cute’ and ‘Comfortable’ $28 Pointed-Toe Knit Flats With No Break-in Required
- EYPT ALERT: Investigation Launched into EyePoint, Inc., Investors are Encouraged to Contact KTMC Law Firm