Aging Gracefully:  The Cardiovascular System
Recognition and Prevention of Cardiovascular Trouble as You Age

As we age, our bodies change. What is normal? What is not? This month, we look at the cardiovascular system to see how it ages.

The cardiovascular system is complex and extends beyond our heart through arteries, veins and capillaries that carry blood throughout the body.  With every heartbeat, these parts work hard to clean carbon dioxide from our blood and pump oxygen-filled blood to all parts of the body. Certain changes that take place within the cardiovascular system as we age are normal and not causes for concern.  Other changes may be warning signals that, if missed, can have life-threatening consequences.  Knowing what these changes mean is the key element to identifying what may be normal versus what could be an underlying symptom that requires medical advice or treatment. 

You should always consult your own doctor for medical advice, but following is a broad overview of some cardiovascular complications that, according to the Mayo Clinic, you may experience as you age:

• High cholesterol – causes fatty build-up within the arteries that can restrict blood flow and can cause coronary artery disease resulting in angina (typically, chest pains) or heart attack; usually has no symptoms until severe and requires bloodwork to detect early on.
• Coronary artery disease – Develops when your coronary arteries become damaged or diseased. Often caused by fatty cholesterol build-up (plaques); can cause angina or heart attack; symptoms can include heart pain and shortness of breath; without testing cholesterol levels, coronary artery disease can go undetected until heart attack or stroke occurs.
• High blood pressure (hypertension) – can lead to heart attack, congestive heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, peripheral artery disease and aortic aneurysms; usually undetectable without testing until severe, but symptoms can include dizziness, dull headaches and sometimes nosebleeds.
• Arteriosclerosis – A type of coronary artery disease in which narrowed arteries reduce blood flow to your limbs; often caused by plaque build- up in the arteries; can lead to heart attack or stroke; symptoms may not be present until condition is severe and include numbness of limbs, chest pain, and leg pain when walking.
• Anemia – caused by low red blood cell count and can cause fatigue, chest pains, irregular heartbeat, coldness of the hands and feet, and other symptoms.
• Abnormal heart rhythms (irregular heart beat) – can be caused by a weak or damaged heart; some symptoms include a fluttering heart, shortness of breath, chest pain, lightheadedness, dizziness and fainting or near fainting; can be present in normal  healthy adults or be a symptom of a deadly condition of ventricular fibrillation.
• Congestive heart failure – can be caused by coronary artery disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and high cholesterol; symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, edema (swelling of hands and feet), irregular heartbeat, loss of appetite or nausea, or swelling of the abdomen.

Some of the symptoms caused by the conditions above can be considered normal or may not be related to the condition at all, but others can be life-threatening. It is vitally important to seek the help of your doctor to determine the severity of your symptoms and how they relate to your health.  Signs and symptoms can vary from person to person depending on the overall health of each individual.

Pro-active Prevention…

You do have control over some heart-related diseases such as high cholesterol, obesity, diabetes and high blood pressure, which can all lead to more serious medical conditions.  The Mayo Clinic recommends the following eight heart-healthy diet steps to prevent heart disease : 

• Limit unhealthy fats and cholesterol
• Choose low-fat protein food sources
• Eat more vegetables and fruits
• Select whole grains
• Reduce the salt in your food
• Control portion sizes
• Plan ahead to create healthy menus
• Allow yourself an occasional treat

With your health care provider’s approval, exercise regularly, within your capability.  Regular exercise can reduce your chances of suffering from obesity, blood pressure issues, diabetes and heart disease.  Eating a healthy diet and reducing fat intake can help control high cholesterol and fosters overall good health.  With proper nutrients, your body is better equipped to fight certain conditions that can lead to damage of your heart and circulatory system.

Studies show that even though these heart-related diseases are prevalent in the elderly, there is no positive proof the cause is due to the aging process.  They can perhaps be attributed to the fact that seniors have lived long enough to develop these problems.  Because cardiovascular symptoms occur on the inside, it is hard to determine if something is normal or not.  Err on the side of caution and always consult your doctor if you sense a change that you are not sure about.  Visit your doctor regularly and do not miss check-ups.  Early detection and intervention not only help you age gracefully, but could mean the difference between life and death.

References
^{Mayo Clinic (2010).  Mayoclinic.com.  Heart-healthy diet: 8 steps to prevent heart disease.  Retrieved on 1/6/11 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-healthy-diet/NU00196
Mayo Clinic (2009).  Mayoclinic.com.  Heart arrhythmias.  Retrieved on 1/7/11 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-arrhythmias/DS00290
Mayo Clinic (2009).  Mayoclinic.com.  Heart failure.  Retrieved on 1/7/11 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/heart-failure/DS00061
Mayo Clinic (2009).  Mayoclinic.com.  Anemia.  Retrieved on 1/7/11 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/anemia/DS00321/DSECTION=symptoms
Mayo Clinic (2010).  Mayoclinic.com.  Aging:  what to expect as you get older.  Retrieved on 1/6/11 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/aging/HA00040
Mayo Clinic (2010).  Mayoclinic.com.  High blood pressure (hypertension).  Retrieved on 1/7/11 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/high-blood-pressure/DS00100
Mayo Clinic (2010).  Mayoclinic.com.  Arteriosclerosis / atherosclerosis.  Retrieved on 1/7/11 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/arteriosclerosis-atherosclerosis/ DS00525/ DSECTION=symptoms
Mayo Clinic (2010).  Mayoclinic.com.  Coronary artery disease.  Retrieved on 1/7/11 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/coronary-artery-disease/DS00064
Medlineplus.com (2010).  Aging changes in the heart and blood vessels.  Retrieved on 1/6/11 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004006.htm
Hoyle, Giddeon M. (2010).  Livestrong.com.  The normal aging process & the cardiovascular system.  Retrieved on 1/6/11 from http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/004006.htm
Emedicinehealth.com.  High Blood Pressure.  Retrieved on 1/7/11 from http://www.emedicinehealth.com/high_blood_pressure/article_em.htm
Merck.com.  The Merck Manual of Geriatrics. Aging and the cardiovascular system (page 83).  Retrieved on 1/6/11 from http://www.merckmanuals.com/mm_geriatrics/sec11/ch83.htm
HealthCentral.com (2006).  High cholesterol symptoms.  Retrieved on 1/7/11 from http://www.healthcentral.com/cholesterol/understanding-cholesterol-000023_5-145.html}