Doctor Tran Quoc Viet, from the Cardiology Department at Tam Anh Ha Noi General Hospital, states that age is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease. After age 50, blood vessel walls gradually become less elastic, and vascular resistance increases, forcing the heart to pump harder to circulate blood. The following are the cardiovascular risks at this age:

Reduced arterial elasticity increases atherosclerosis risk

After age 50, the body's large arteries gradually lose their inherent elasticity. Vessel walls thicken and stiffen due to the accumulation of fibrous tissue and calcium, making it difficult for blood vessels to expand with each heartbeat. This typically leads to an increase in blood pressure, particularly systolic blood pressure.

Concurrently, atherosclerosis develops silently over many years. Atherosclerotic plaques often become prominent, narrowing the vessel lumen, obstructing blood flow, and increasing the risk of coronary artery disease, myocardial infarction, or stroke.

Decreased heart muscle flexibility and pumping capacity

The aging process also directly affects the heart muscle. As age advances, heart muscle tissue accumulates more collagen, making the heart walls less supple and reducing elasticity. The heart's ability to expand and contract becomes less flexible, meaning the amount of blood pumped with each beat is no longer as optimal as before.

During physical activity or exertion, an older person's heart struggles to increase pumping efficiency as effectively as a younger person's. While this is a normal physiological change with age and not immediately a pathological condition, this reduction in cardiac reserve makes the heart more susceptible to overload when faced with adverse factors such as hypertension, myocardial ischemia, or arrhythmias.

Older hearts find it difficult to increase pumping efficiency during strenuous activity. Photo: Chau Nguyen

Older hearts find it difficult to increase pumping efficiency during strenuous activity. Photo: Chau Nguyen

Less stable blood pressure and heart rate

The gradual loss of arterial elasticity tends to increase blood pressure. The aging of the heart's electrical conduction system, including the sinus node, also makes heart rate more variable, increasing the risk of mild arrhythmias. These changes often occur silently after age 50 and contribute to a heightened risk of atherosclerotic disease, coronary artery disease, and heart rhythm disorders if not managed early.

Doctor Viet advises individuals aged 40 to 50 to proactively undergo regular health check-ups. While cardiovascular aging is a natural process, it can be slowed down through a healthy lifestyle. Everyone should maintain a balanced routine and avoid excessive stress. Regular physical activity, including aerobic exercises combined with muscle strengthening, helps control blood pressure and improve blood lipid levels. A diet rich in green vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and fish, while limiting salt and saturated fats, contributes to reducing the risk of atherosclerosis.

Ly Nguyen