Alternative Names age-related changes in the heart and blood vessels
Definition Certain changes occur in the heart and blood vessels as a person gets older.
What is the information for this topic? There are several normal changes that occur in the heart and blood vessels with increasing age. Without heart disease, a person's heart stays the same size or may get smaller with age. The number of heart muscle cells decreases with age. Fat and other material is also deposited into the heart muscle as it ages. These deposits cause heart muscle cells to degenerate slightly. These changes reduce the strength of the heart and the amount of blood the heart can pump. The number of blood vessels that lead to the heart also decreases. This reduces the amount of oxygen that can be given to the heart muscle.
The valves that control the direction of the blood flow in the heart also change. They usually gradually thicken and become more difficult to move with age. Calcium deposits in the valves may help cause this change. Abnormal heart sounds or "murmurs" may result from these valve changes.
The maximum heart rate that can be achieved is reduced with age. This and the reduced ability of the heart to pump blood cause a decreased exercise tolerance in the elderly. The natural electrical system that causes the heart to beat also changes with age. This is rarely a problem in people without heart disease. It may cause certain changes that are seen on a heart tracing or ECG. Rarely, problems with the heart rate may occur because of natural degeneration of this area of the heart.
The arteries of the body naturally become less elastic or stretchable with age. This is different from blockage in the arteries, a potential cause of heart attacks. Less elastic arteries can cause an increase in the blood pressure with age. An abnormally high blood pressure is usually treated with drugs, however, even though it may be "natural." Treatment has been shown to help reduce the risk of strokes and heart attacks.
Many other heart and blood vessel problems commonly seen in older people are not considered normal. Blockage of the arteries, heart attacks and strokes are common causes of illness and death in the elderly. These can often be prevented, however, and are not considered a part of the normal ageing process.
Regular exercise can delay and even reverse many changes in the heart and blood vessels that occur with age. A doctor can provide information regarding a fitness or exercise program for interested people. For more information on this topic please see exercise and age.
Author: James Broomfield, MD Reviewer: HealthAnswers Australia Medical Review Panel Editor: Dr David Taylor, Chief Medical Officer HealthAnswers Australia Last Updated: 1/10/2001 Contributors Potential conflict of interest information for reviewers available on request
