How Aging Affects the Heart: Understanding the Changes Over Time

I was only eight years old when my father suffered his first stroke, a product of an enlarged heart, blocked veins and arteries, and uncontrolled high blood pressure. Watching him struggle to learn how to walk and talk again was heartbreaking. But nothing could have prepared me for the emotional pain I experienced when, at the age of 21, a second stroke left him brain-dead, and in a coma for six days before he passed away.

My father’s inability to regulate his emotions, particularly his anger, as well as his sedentary lifestyle, played a significant role in his deteriorating health. This profound loss made me acutely aware of the importance of caring not only for my heart but my entire cardiovascular system. It also taught me that true heart health goes beyond the physical—it encompasses the emotional, energetic, and spiritual dimensions of our being.

If you’re curious about how aging affects your heart and what you can do about it, in this article, we’ll explore the inevitable changes that occur in the heart as we age. We’ll also discuss the signs of an aging heart, and delve into the role of lifestyle choices in nurturing your physical, emotional, and spiritual heart health. Let’s dive in.


How Aging Affects the Heart and Changes It

As we journey through life, our bodies undergo numerous transformations, and the heart, being one of the most vital organs, is no exception. But did you know that the heart is more than just a physical pump? Aside from being a hormone-producing gland, it is also the largest generator of electromagnetic energy in our bodies. In many spiritual traditions, the heart is seen as the center of our being, the source of love, compassion, and connection to the divine. Understanding the changes that occur in the heart with age can empower you to take proactive steps towards maintaining not only your physical heart health but also your emotional, energetic, and spiritual well-being.

Structural Changes

As we age, the heart undergoes several structural changes:

  • Heart Muscle Thickening: The heart muscle, particularly the left ventricle, tends to thicken with age. This thickening, known as hypertrophy, can reduce the chamber’s size, which might lead to less blood being pumped with each heartbeat. However, this doesn’t mean the heart’s output decreases immediately; it’s more about the efficiency and the heart’s adaptability to stress.
  • Valve Stiffening: The heart’s valves, which ensure blood flows in one direction, can become stiffer or develop some degree of leakage. This might not be problematic for everyone but can lead to conditions like mitral regurgitation, where blood flows backward into the left atrium.
  • Artery Stiffness: Our arteries lose elasticity over time due to the loss of elastic tissue, contributing to higher blood pressure and making the heart work harder, potentially leading to heart failure over time.

Functional Changes

Aging also affects the heart’s function:

  • Decreased Maximum Heart Rate: While resting heart rate might not change significantly, the maximum heart rate achievable during exercise decreases. This decline is partly due to changes in the heart’s electrical system, where the sinoatrial node (the heart’s natural pacemaker) might lose cells, leading to a slower heart rate response to exercise or stress.
  • Reduced Blood Flow Efficiency: The heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently may decrease. This isn’t just about the heart rate but also about how well the heart contracts and relaxes. The stiffening of the heart muscle can lead to diastolic heart failure, where the heart can’t fill with blood properly between beats.
  • Increased Risk of Arrhythmias: Age increases the risk of arrhythmias like atrial fibrillation, a common type of arrhythmia where the heart’s upper chambers beat irregularly. This condition increases the risk of stroke due to blood clot formation.

Neurological Changes

The aging process can also impact the heart’s neurological function:

  • Decreased Heart Rate Variability: The heart’s ability to vary its rate in response to stress or activity may diminish with age.
  • Reduced Sensitivity to Adrenaline: The heart may become less responsive to adrenaline, a hormone that increases heart rate and contractility.

Signs of an Aging Heart

So, how can you tell if your heart is showing signs of age? Watch out for these common indicators:

  • Shortness of breath during activities that didn’t previously cause breathlessness
  • Feeling lightheaded or dizzy upon standing
  • Swelling in the feet, ankles, or legs
  • Persistent fatigue or weakness
  • Chest pain or pressure, especially during physical activity

It’s important to note that symptoms of heart issues might differ in older adults. For instance, heart attacks might not present with the classic chest pain but could manifest as fatigue, shortness of breath, or even confusion. If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s crucial to consult with your healthcare provider.

A Wake-Up Call and a Reason for Hope

As we’ve seen, the aging process brings about various changes in the heart’s structure and function, which can lead to an increased risk of heart disease. In fact, statistics show that 80% of heart disease deaths occur in people over 65. This sobering reality is due to a combination of age-related changes and lifestyle factors that accumulate over time.

However, it’s crucial to understand that while aging itself is inevitable, the way we age, especially when it comes to heart health, is largely influenced by the choices we make today. The increased risk of heart disease in older adults should serve not as a cause for despair, but rather as a wake-up call and a motivation to take proactive steps towards a healthier heart.

The good news is that it’s never too late to start making positive changes. Research has shown that adopting a heart-healthy lifestyle, even in your 50s or later, can significantly reduce your risk of heart disease and even turn back the clock on your heart’s age by up to 20 years!

The Power of Vigorous Exercise: Reversing 20 Years of Heart Aging

One of the most convincing studies on the benefits of vigorous intensity exercise for the aging heart was conducted by Ben Levine’s group at UT Southwest in Dallas. They took 50-year-olds who were sedentary but disease-free and put them on one of two exercise protocols. The control group did a low-intensity program, while the other group did a high-intensity workout program that included vigorous exercise.

After the two-year intervention, the structural changes in the hearts of the high-intensity group reverted back almost 20 years. Their hearts became more malleable and larger, resembling the hearts of 30-year-olds. This study, described in greater detail in the following video, demonstrates the astounding potential of vigorous intensity exercise to reverse the aging of the heart.

Lifestyle and Heart Health: Nurturing the Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual Heart

The good news is that lifestyle choices can significantly influence how your heart ages. By taking a holistic approach that encompasses the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of your being, you can create a strong foundation for a healthy, vibrant heart at any age.

Physical Heart Health

Exercise

Regular exercise, even starting in your 50s, can reverse some structural changes and improve heart function, reducing the risk of heart failure. Engaging in a combination of aerobic exercise and strength training can help maintain a healthy weight, reduce blood pressure, and improve overall cardiovascular health.

Diet and Nutrition

Diet plays a crucial role in heart health. Consuming a diet rich in heart-healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats, can mitigate many risks associated with heart disease. Reducing salt intake, for example, can help manage blood pressure. By making mindful choices about what you eat and approaching meals with gratitude, you can nourish your heart and support its optimal function.

Rest and Sleep

Adequate rest and sleep are essential for maintaining a healthy heart. During sleep, your body repairs and regenerates tissues, including those in your cardiovascular system. Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night to allow your body and heart the time they need to recover and recharge. Establishing a consistent sleep schedule and creating a relaxing bedtime routine can help improve the quality of your sleep and support your heart health.

Smoking and Alcohol Consumption

It’s important to address lifestyle factors that can negatively impact your heart health. Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption exacerbate heart disease risk. Quitting smoking at any age significantly reduces heart disease risk and can have immediate benefits for your cardiovascular system. If you struggle with alcohol consumption, seeking support and finding healthy ways to manage stress and emotions can be crucial for protecting your heart health.

Emotional Heart Health

The Impact of Repressed Emotions and Emotional Trauma

Studies have shown that people who repress their emotions and have experienced emotional trauma, such as childhood abuse or neglect, are at a higher risk for heart disease later in life. This is likely due to the long-term effects of chronic stress on the body, as well as the impact of unhealthy coping mechanisms, such as smoking or overeating, which are more common among trauma survivors. Learning to process and release repressed emotions through therapy, journaling, or other healing practices can be an important step in reducing the impact of emotional trauma on heart health. By acknowledging and working through painful experiences, we can reduce the chronic stress and tension that can contribute to cardiovascular issues.

Cultivating Emotional Resilience

Cultivating emotional resilience through heart coherence practices and emotional regulation techniques is crucial for maintaining a healthy heart. Heart coherence refers to the synchronization of your heart rhythm with your emotions and thoughts. When you experience positive emotions like love, gratitude, and compassion, your heart rhythm becomes more coherent, leading to a cascade of beneficial effects on your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Practicing heart coherence regularly can help reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and enhance your overall sense of well-being.

Nurturing Loving Relationships

The quality of our relationships plays a significant role in our emotional heart health. Cultivating loving, harmonious connections with others can provide a sense of support, belonging, and emotional nourishment. Engaging in open, honest communication, practicing forgiveness, and expressing gratitude towards loved ones can help foster strong, healthy relationships that uplift and inspire us. Surrounding yourself with people who bring out the best in you and support your growth can have a profound impact on your emotional well-being and, consequently, your heart health.

Spiritual Heart Health

Spiritual Practices

Engaging in spiritual practices like meditation, prayer, or mindfulness can help reduce stress and cultivate a sense of inner peace. My guided meditation, Optimum Heart Health, can be very useful. These practices allow you to connect with something greater than yourself, whether it’s a higher power, the universe, or your own inner wisdom. By nurturing your spiritual heart, you can find a deeper sense of purpose, meaning, and connection, which can have a positive impact on your emotional and physical health.

How Aging Affects the Heart

Your Heart Health Assessment

Now, I’d like to invite you to pause for a moment and reflect on your own heart health by answering this question:

On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate your current heart and cardiovascular system’s well-being?

Whatever your number, now ask yourself:

What do I need to stop, start, or continue doing to move that number one point higher?

Remember, you have a physical, emotional, and energetic/spiritual heart—all of which require care and attention.

Final Thoughts

As I reflect on my father’s health, I’ve come to realize that, like many of his generation, he simply didn’t have access to the tools and information we have today about heart health and the power of lifestyle choices. If he had known that he could influence his heart’s health through simple yet profound changes in his daily habits and emotional well-being, I believe his story could have had a different ending.

As you navigate your own journey towards a healthier, more vibrant heart, remember that the power to heal and rejuvenate your heart lies within you. It starts with setting the intention to prioritize your heart health and creating a plan of action that supports your goals. By consistently making choices that align with your intention and cultivating an environment that supports your physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, you’ll naturally create the conditions for a younger, stronger, and more optimized heart.

If you find yourself struggling to make these changes for your own sake, consider doing it out of love for those who matter most to you. By taking care of your own heart, you’re not only improving your quality of life but also ensuring that you’ll be there to support and inspire your loved ones for years to come.

From my heart to yours,

How Aging Affects the Heart

Want to become emotionally strong? Sign up for The Feeling Heart to receive weekly tips for living wholeheartedly

Receive your FREE weekly dose of tips and resources to conquer life’s challenges, ditch stress, live purposefully, and feel emotionally strong.