The Aging Changes in the Heart - Essay Example

Running head: The aging of the heart Name: Course: Instructor’s Name: Institution: Date: Introduction The heart is one of the body’s vital organs. It is located between the lungs and behind, slightly to the left of the breastbone. It is a muscle estimated to be the size of the fist, often contracting and expanding through its own bioelectrical system, to enable it pump blood to all parts of the body and provide the energy to the body. According to research studies, this is one of the body’s systems that undergo alterations during the process of aging (Myron, 1980). It is said that the heart slows down with the aging process because of the reduced muscle strength. This is also accompanied by various heart and blood vessel diseases and disorder, which are often common among the elderly. This study seeks to illustrate the aging process of the heart. We will also explore into the causes of the declined muscle strength, the effects of the aging process and the management procedure to reduce the outcomes of the adverse effects. The aging changes in the heart Aging can be defined as a process of getting old or developing into maturity. This process leads to certain changes in the body’s organs as well as systems, some of which are inevitable. Research studies have documented that as people grow old, the heart tends to expand slightly, developing slightly larger chambers and thicker walls (Nanette, 1999). This is mainly caused by an increase in the quantity of the individual heart muscle cells. The walls of the arterioles and arteries grow thicker, while the space within the arteries also enlarges slightly. The elastic tissue found between the walls of the arterioles and the arteries is then lost. All these changes combine to make the arteries and the arterioles stiffer and less resilient (Fentleman, et al, 2006). As the arteries and the arterioles become less elastic with the process of aging, it becomes difficult for these vessels to relax readily during the regular pumping of the heart. This leads to an increase in the blood pressure, sometimes above the normal rates, during the hearts process of contraction, a process often referred to as systole. These processes are very common especially, among the older people, whereby the blood pressure runs higher than the normal blood pressure level leading to a disorder known as isolated systolic hypertension (Caroline & Mary, 2007). It is also documented that the heart contains a natural pacemaker system, which often controls the heartbeat. Some pathways of this system at times develop fat deposits and fibrous tissue that makes the natural pacemaker to lose some of its cells. This results in a slightly slower hearts-pumping rate (Myron, 1980). At rest, the older people’s heart functions in a slightly similar way as that of the younger person, except the fact that the heart rate of the older is slightly lower. During exercise, the older person’s heart cannot increase the quantity of blood pumped out like that of the younger person (Fentleman, et al, 2006). Effects The aging of the heart is a natural consequence of aging and it is associated with various effects. As people become old, the functioning of the heart also slows down as the process of aging lessens the strength of the heart muscles. As a result, the hearts pumping power reduces and the maximal heart rate also lessens. Systolic blood pressure may tend to increase if the amount of blood that is pumped by the heart in one minute reduces (Panek, & Hayslip, 1989). There are various problems connected by the heart as it ages such as Arteriosclerosis (obstruction of the arteries because of increased build up of cholesterol). As the fatty plague is deposited alongside the blood vessels, the latter narrows or can completely be blocked. This plague can also affect the valves that manage the direction of the blood flow making them to thicken and become rigid. Arteriosclerosis is the result of majority of cardiovascular disease (Charles, et al, 2001). Another problem that emerges as people age is Angina. This is chest pain that results from temporarily reduction of oxygenated blood flow to the heart muscles. As a result, a person experiences chest pain, pain between the shoulder blades and in the left arm (Masoro & Austad, 2006). Due to reduced blood supply, the heart has to work harder. Due to the build up of plague the vessels becomes narrow and as a result, increased force is required to push blood through these vessels. This causes the development of high blood pressure and reduction of oxygenated blood leading to heart attacks (Saltman, et al, 2006). Dissecting Aneurysm is another effect of the aging of the heart (Niloo, et al, 2003).  This is a situation in which the atherosclerosed aorta becomes brittle and can break more easily and this creates a life threatening state. Heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms are also very significant in elderly persons. Persons older than 75 years experiences heart failure 10 times more compared to young people (Schwartz & Zipes, 2007). Ways to delay the effects of aging There are various risk factors that individuals can control to reduce the effects of aging. For example, cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking and diabetes (Fentleman, et al, 2006). Atherosclerosis' was back then known as an aging disorder, but researchers have proven that it is as a result of narrowing of arteries due to increased fats and cholesterol intake, and motivated by high blood pressure and smoking. People should quit or minimize smoking. Tobacco and smoking related health complications are one of the biggest causes of premature deaths that can be prevented. The core ingredients in cigarettes which comprise of carbon monoxide, nicotine and tar are instigators of cardiovascular disease (Nanette, 1999). Individuals are also encouraged to indulge in eating healthy diets free from fats and cholesterol. Due to the consumption of unhealthy heart diets such as saturated fats, cholesterol, and complex carbohydrates in child hood, heart disease starts to develop and continues to old age (Saltman, et al, 2006). Individuals should keep their fat intake below 30 percent of their entire calories; avoid fried foods and foods rich in excess fats such as mutton and beef, decrease the amounts of salt intake, and increase the intakes of such raw foods as carrots, cucumber, onion and tomatoes and foods containing high fiber content (Niloo, et al, 2003). Exercise is another recommendation to reducing effects of heart aging. Moderate exercise assists individuals to maintain their heart and also the rest of their body healthy. Most of the effects of the aging of the heart and blood vessels can be lessened by continuous regular exercises (Charles, et al, 2001). As people age, exercises assists in maintaining cardiovascular and muscular fitness therefore, exercise is helpful in spite of when it begins. People are encouraged to indulge in regular exercise but one should consult a health provider before starting a new exercise program. Research has proved that, people working continuously and seriously have been seen to cut their age related reduction of maxima heart rate (Schwartz & Zipes, 2007). Check ups is another way recommended by health providers. At the age of 35, individuals are encouraged to engage in check ups particularly cholesterol levels and blood pressure. This should be a follow up done every other year as it helps an individual to know his healthy status thus takes accurate measures to manage it. Studies have shown that, ethanol raises HDL cholesterol levels, keeps blood from clotting and dilates blood vessels. Therefore at least one drink per day is recommended but no more than this is helpful and can be detrimental for health. To wide up, individuals working seriously and continuously most of their times have proved to reduce their age related decline of maxima heart rate by half (Masoro & Austad, 2006). Therefore we can conclude that maintaining a healthy diet, indulging regular exercises and quitting unhealthy habits such as smoking helps in controlling heart related problems which mostly occur as an individual ages thus the aging of the heart (Charles, et al, 2001). Conclusion With each passing day, our hearts relax more gradually than when we were young, making the heart to fill with blood, slow its pumping rate during rest and even during exercise, without even the presence of any disorder. The aging process brings about all these alterations. According to the study above, aging is defined as a process of growing old or developing into maturity (Niloo, et al, 2003). However, some of the changes in the body’s organs and systems, accompanied by the aging process, are inevitable. For instance, the hearts walls thicken, its pumping rate slows, the maximum heart rate declines and it can reach a point when it stops to pump blood as competently as it once did. Scientists speculate that most of these alterations take place because the heart is adjusting as the years elapse (Braverman, 2008). These changes in the heart as a result lead to various effects some which are vital. For instance, the thickening of the walls causes high blood pressure, chest pains due to reduction of oxygenated blood to the heart and increased heart failure and abnormal heart rhythms as a person becomes old. Health providers have urged people to check on their diet, quit bad habits such as cigarette smoking and participate in regular exercises as this will help reduce the risk of heart problems as they become old (Moody, 2006). Therefore, the status of an individual’s heart in old age is determined by his/her behaviors since childhood. Reference Schwartz, J. & Zipes, D. (2007). Cardiovascular Disease in the Elderly: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders Elsevier. Myron, W. (1980). The Aging heart: its function and response to stress. Raven Press Nanette, K. (1999). Cardiovascular disease in the octogenarian and beyond. Sidney: Martin Dunitz Publishers. Niloo, E. Mathew, M. and Rachel, W. (2003). Aging, heart disease, and its management: facts and controversies. Humana Press. Braverman, (2008). Younger You. India: McGraw-Hill Education. Stuart-Hamilton, I. (2006). The Psychology of Ageing: An Introduction. London: Jessica Kingsley Publishers. Richard B. Saltman, Hans F. W. Dubois, Mukesh Chawla. (2006). Europe and Some Potential Policy Responses. International Journal of Health Services. Volume 36, Number4. Retrieved From: http://baywood.metapress.com/index/AUL14LAM4VNB3YH0.pdf. (Accessed October 6, 2010). Panek, Paul E. & Hayslip, Bert (1989). Adult development and ageing. San Francisco: Harper & Row. Masoro E.J. & Austad S.N.. (eds.) (2006). Handbook of the Biology of Ageing, Sixth Edition. San Diego, CA, USA: Academic Press. Moody, Harry R. (2006). Ageing: Concepts and Controversies. 5th ed. California: Pine Forge Press. Charles, T. Reynolds, C. & Gatz, M. (2001). Age-related differences and change in positive and negative affect over 23 years. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology. Caroline, B. Mary, T. (2007). Textbook of Basic Nursing; 9th Ed; Lippincott Williams & Wilkins publisher. American Heart Association website Available at: http://www.americanheart.org/presenter.jhtml?identifier=9203. (Accessed October 6, 2010). Harvard School of Public Health. The Nutrition Source Fats and Cholesterol Available at: http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/fats.html. Accessed October 6, 2010 National Institute on Aging. Available at: http://www.nia.nih.gov/health/pubs/hearts-arteries/p2.htm. (Accessed October 6, 2010) Read More