Your heart may be older than you. Here’s how to protect it

By age 65, you’re at greater risk for heart disease, a heart attack and other related conditions, including heart failure, atrial fibrillation (AFib, an irregular heartbeat) and structural heart disease (abnormalities in the heart’s structure).

Your “heart age” can also increase your risk. Due to stress, poor nutrition, lack of exercise, environmental factors, injuries, genetics and more, your “heart age” may be older than the age on your driver’s license.

The difference between male and female hearts

Heart disease (coronary artery disease) is the leading cause of death for both men and women, but women face different challenges:

• Physical differences: Women’s hearts are smaller, beat faster and often have narrower blood vessels.
• Endometriosis: Women who have had endometriosis may be at a higher risk for blocked coronary arteries.
• Pregnancy: Conditions that can develop during pregnancy, including pre-eclampsia and gestational diabetes, can put added stress on your heart.
• Menopause: Changes in blood pressure can occur around the time of menopause and put you at a greater risk for developing heart disease.

Steps to minimize your risk of heart conditions

Fortunately, there are ways to slow down and potentially reverse the effects on your aging heart. These include:

• Nutrition: Eat heart-healthy foods and consider a plant-based diet, which is especially good for your heart. Limit your salt intake and manage your blood sugar.
• Exercise: It doesn’t have to be strenuous or require a costly gym membership. For example, walking, yoga and gardening.
• Weight management: Maintaining a healthy weight can lower your risk of developing heart-related and other conditions. If you’re overweight or obese, even a moderate amount of weight loss can help.
• Blood pressure: Even if you haven’t been diagnosed with hypertension, taking a daily blood pressure reading with a home monitor is a great way to learn your risk.
• Stress: Stress can impact your aging heart, so add fun and calming activities to your routine, including ones that make you laugh.
• Alcohol: Minimize your consumption. Long-term drinking above the guidelines can cause issues with blood pressure, your heartbeat and even your heart’s structure.
• Tobacco: If you smoke or use tobacco products, work on quitting.

Although an aging heart is a normal part of life, you have far greater control over your heart health than you might realize. Want to find out your personal risk? Take our 5-minute quiz at henryford.com/heartquiz.

About the expert

Dr. Zain Azzo is a specialist in the diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disease at Henry Ford Health. Educating patients about their cardiac conditions and risks is a priority. He practices evidence-based cardiovascular medicine, combining an up-to-date knowledge of guidelines and clinical trials, with state-of-the-art diagnostic testing and management options available at Henry Ford.