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Aging changes in the heart and blood vessels

Heart disease - aging; Atherosclerosis - aging

 

Information

Some changes in the heart and blood vessels normally occur with age. However, many other changes that are common with aging are due to modifiable factors. If not treated, these can lead to heart disease.

BACKGROUND

The heart has two sides. The right side pumps blood to the lungs to receive oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. The left side pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body.

Blood flows out of the heart through arteries, which branch out and get smaller and smaller as they go into the tissues. In the tissues, they become tiny capillaries.

Capillaries are where the blood gives up oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and receives carbon dioxide and wastes back from the tissues. Then, the vessels begin to collect together into larger and larger veins, which return blood to the heart.

AGING CHANGES

Heart:

  • The heart has a natural pacemaker system that controls the heartbeat. Some of the pathways of this system may develop fibrous tissue and fat deposits. The natural pacemaker (the SA node) loses some of its cells. These changes may result in a slightly slower heart rate .
  • A slight increase in the size of the heart, especially the left ventricle, is not uncommon. The heart wall thickens, so the amount of blood that the chamber can hold may actually decrease despite the increased overall heart size. The heart may fill more slowly.
  • Heart changes cause the ECG of a normal, healthy older person to be slightly different than the ECG of a healthy younger adult. Abnormal rhythms ( arrhythmias ), such as atrial fibrillation , are more common in older people. They may be caused by heart disease.
  • Normal changes in the heart include deposits of the "aging pigment," lipofuscin . The heart muscle cells degenerate slightly. The valves inside the heart, which control the direction of blood flow, thicken and become stiffer. A heart murmur caused by valve stiffness is fairly common in older people.

Blood vessels:

  • Receptors called baroreceptors monitor the blood pressure and make changes to help maintain a fairly constant blood pressure when a person changes positions or is doing other activities. The baroreceptors become less sensitive with aging. This may explain why many older people have orthostatic hypotension, a condition in which the blood pressure falls when a person goes from lying or sitting to standing. This causes dizziness because there is less blood flow to the brain.
  • The capillary walls thicken slightly. This may cause a slightly slower rate of exchange of nutrients and wastes.
  • The main artery from the heart (aorta) becomes thicker, stiffer, and less flexible. This is probably related to changes in the connective tissue of the blood vessel wall. This makes the blood pressure higher and makes the heart work harder, which may lead to thickening of the heart muscle (hypertrophy). The other arteries also thicken and stiffen. In general, most older people have a moderate increase in blood pressure.

Blood:

  • The blood itself changes slightly with age. Normal aging causes a reduction in total body water. As part of this, there is less fluid in the bloodstream, so blood volume decreases.
  • The speed with which red blood cells are produced in response to stress or illness is reduced. This creates a slower response to blood loss and anemia.
  • Most of the white blood cells stay at the same levels, although certain white blood cells important to immunity ( neutrophils ) decrease in their number and ability to fight off bacteria. This reduces the ability to resist infection.

EFFECT OF CHANGES

Normally, the heart continues to pump enough blood to supply all parts of the body. However, an older heart may not be able to pump blood as well when you make it work harder.

Some of the things that make your heart work harder are:

  • Certain medicines
  • Emotional stress
  • Physical exertion
  • Illness
  • Infections
  • Injuries

COMMON PROBLEMS

  • Angina (chest pain caused by temporarily reduced blood flow to the heart muscle), shortness of breath with exertion, and heart attack can result from coronary artery disease.
  • Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias) of various types can occur.
  • Anemia may occur, possibly related to malnutrition, chronic infections, blood loss from the gastrointestinal tract, or as a complication of other diseases or medicines.
  • Arteriosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) is very common. Fatty plaque deposits inside the blood vessels cause them to narrow and totally block blood vessels.
  • Congestive heart failure is also very common in older people. In people older than 75, congestive heart failure occurs 10 times more often than in younger adults.
  • Coronary artery disease is fairly common. It is often a result of arteriosclerosis.
  • High blood pressure and orthostatic hypotension are more common with older age. Older people on blood pressure medicines need to work with their doctor to find the best way to manage their high blood pressure. This is because too much medicine may cause low blood pressure and could lead to a fall.
  • Heart valve diseases are fairly common. Aortic stenosis , or narrowing of the aortic valve, is the most common valve disease in older adults.
  • Transient ischemic attacks ( TIA ) or strokes can occur if blood flow to the brain is disrupted.

Other problems with the heart and blood vessels include the following:

  • Blood clots
  • Deep vein thrombosis
  • Thrombophlebitis
  • Peripheral vascular disease , resulting in intermittent pain in the legs when walking (claudication)
  • Varicose veins
  • Aneurysms may develop in one of the major arteries from the heart or in the brain. Aneurysms are an abnormal widening or ballooning of a part of an artery due to weakness in the wall of the blood vessel. If an aneurysm bursts it may cause bleeding and death.

PREVENTION

  • You can help your circulatory system (heart and blood vessels). Heart disease risk factors that you have some control over include high blood pressure, cholesterol levels, diabetes, obesity, and smoking.
  • Eat a heart-healthy diet with reduced amounts of saturated fat and cholesterol, and control your weight. Follow your health care provider's recommendations for treating high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes. Reduce or stop smoking.
  • Men between the ages of 65 to 75 who have ever smoked should be screened for aneurysms in their abdominal aorta.

Get more exercise:

  • Exercise may help prevent obesity, and it helps people with diabetes control their blood sugar.
  • Exercise may help you maintain your abilities as much as possible, and it reduces stress.
  • Moderate exercise is one of the best things you can do to keep your heart, and the rest of your body, healthy. Consult with your provider before beginning a new exercise program. Exercise moderately and within your capabilities, but do it regularly.
  • People who exercise often have less body fat and smoke less than people who do not exercise. They also tend to have fewer blood pressure problems and less heart disease.

Have regular check-ups for your heart:

  • Have your blood pressure checked every year. If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, your blood pressure may need to be monitored more closely.
  • If your cholesterol level is normal, have it rechecked every 5 years. If you have diabetes, heart disease, kidney problems, or certain other conditions, your cholesterol may need to be monitored more closely.
  • If you are an older man (between the ages of 65 to 75) and you have a history of smoking, you should be screened for aneurysms in one of the major arteries of the heart.

 

Open References

References

James PA, Oparil S, Carter BL, et al. 2014 evidence-based guideline for the management of high blood pressure in adults: report from the panel members appointed to the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8). JAMA . 2014;311(5):507-520. PMID: 24352797 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24352797 .

LeFevre ML; US Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Ann Intern Med . 2014;161(4):281-90. PMID: 24957320 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24957320 .

Schwartz JB, Zipes DP. Cardiovascular disease in the elderly In: Mann DL, Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 76.

Stone NJ, Robinson JG, Lichtenstein AH, et al. 2013 ACC/AHA guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular risk in adults: a report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on Practice Guidelines. Circulation . 2014;129(25 Suppl 2):S1-S45. PMID: 24222016 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24222016 .

Walston JD. Common clinical sequelae of aging. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 25.

 
  • Blood flow

    Blood flow

    Animation

    •  

    Blood flow - Animation

    This animation shows the cycle of blood circulation through the heart, arteries, veins, and lungs within the body.

  • Atherosclerosis overview

    Atherosclerosis overview

    Animation

    •  

    Atherosclerosis overview - Animation

    Learn the symptoms, causes, treatment, and health risks of atherosclerosis.

  • Taking your carotid pulse

    Taking your carotid pulse - illustration

    The carotid arteries take oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain. The pulse from the carotids may be felt on either side of the front of the neck just below the angle of the jaw. This rhythmic "beat" is caused by varying volumes of blood being pushed out of the heart toward the extremities.

    Taking your carotid pulse

    illustration

  • Circulation of blood through the heart

    Circulation of blood through the heart - illustration

    The heart is a large muscular organ which constantly pushes oxygen-rich blood to the brain and extremities and transports oxygen-poor blood from the brain and extremities to the lungs to gain oxygen. Blood comes into the right atrium from the body, moves into the right ventricle and is pushed into the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. After picking up oxygen, the blood travels back to the heart through the pulmonary veins into the left atrium, to the left ventricle and out to the body's tissues through the aorta.

    Circulation of blood through the heart

    illustration

  • Radial pulse

    Radial pulse - illustration

    Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues of the body. Veins carry blood depleted of oxygen from the same tissues back to the heart. The arteries are the vessels with the "pulse," a rhythmic pushing of the blood in the heart followed by a refilling of the heart chamber. To determine heart rate, one counts the beats at a pulse point like the inside of the wrist for 10 seconds, and multiplies this number by 6. This is the per-minute total.

    Radial pulse

    illustration

  • Normal heart anatomy (cut section)

    Normal heart anatomy (cut section) - illustration

    The normal heart viewed so that major valves can be seen.

    Normal heart anatomy (cut section)

    illustration

  • Effects of age on blood pressure

    Effects of age on blood pressure - illustration

    Blood vessels become less elastic with age. The average blood pressure increases from 120/70 to 150/90 and may persist slightly high, even if treated. The blood vessels respond more slowly to a change in body position.

    Effects of age on blood pressure

    illustration

  • Blood flow

    Animation

    •  

    Blood flow - Animation

    This animation shows the cycle of blood circulation through the heart, arteries, veins, and lungs within the body.

  • Atherosclerosis overview

    Animation

    •  

    Atherosclerosis overview - Animation

    Learn the symptoms, causes, treatment, and health risks of atherosclerosis.

  • Taking your carotid pulse

    Taking your carotid pulse - illustration

    The carotid arteries take oxygenated blood from the heart to the brain. The pulse from the carotids may be felt on either side of the front of the neck just below the angle of the jaw. This rhythmic "beat" is caused by varying volumes of blood being pushed out of the heart toward the extremities.

    Taking your carotid pulse

    illustration

  • Circulation of blood through the heart

    Circulation of blood through the heart - illustration

    The heart is a large muscular organ which constantly pushes oxygen-rich blood to the brain and extremities and transports oxygen-poor blood from the brain and extremities to the lungs to gain oxygen. Blood comes into the right atrium from the body, moves into the right ventricle and is pushed into the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. After picking up oxygen, the blood travels back to the heart through the pulmonary veins into the left atrium, to the left ventricle and out to the body's tissues through the aorta.

    Circulation of blood through the heart

    illustration

  • Radial pulse

    Radial pulse - illustration

    Arteries carry oxygenated blood away from the heart to the tissues of the body. Veins carry blood depleted of oxygen from the same tissues back to the heart. The arteries are the vessels with the "pulse," a rhythmic pushing of the blood in the heart followed by a refilling of the heart chamber. To determine heart rate, one counts the beats at a pulse point like the inside of the wrist for 10 seconds, and multiplies this number by 6. This is the per-minute total.

    Radial pulse

    illustration

  • Normal heart anatomy (cut section)

    Normal heart anatomy (cut section) - illustration

    The normal heart viewed so that major valves can be seen.

    Normal heart anatomy (cut section)

    illustration

  • Effects of age on blood pressure

    Effects of age on blood pressure - illustration

    Blood vessels become less elastic with age. The average blood pressure increases from 120/70 to 150/90 and may persist slightly high, even if treated. The blood vessels respond more slowly to a change in body position.

    Effects of age on blood pressure

    illustration

A Closer Look

 

Talking to your MD

 

    Self Care

     

      Tests for Aging changes in the heart and blood vessels

       
         

        Review Date: 8/22/2016

        Reviewed By: Laura J. Martin, MD, MPH, ABIM Board Certified in Internal Medicine and Hospice and Palliative Medicine, Atlanta, GA. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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