As you enter your golden years, caring for your cardiovascular system is increasingly important. Your heart faithfully served for years, and it's your turn to return the favor. Familiarize yourself with heart complications symptoms and arm yourself with preventive care, and your life can become an even brighter, better one for years to come.

Healthy aging and a healthy heart go hand in glove. A healthy heart pumps blood through your system with ease, delivering life-preserving oxygen and nutrients to each and every one of your cells. For older adults, a healthy cardiovascular system equals increased energy, increased mobility, and an overall better life. Simply living longer is not enough—living well is most important.

Wisdom comes with age, and age comes with additional heart disease risk factors, including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. But many of them can be averted with a change of heart – and I mean that figuratively, naturally – through exercise, healthy diets, and stress management. All three are potent antidotes for heart disease, and with them, your heart will flourish.

Healthy cardiovascular function reaches far beyond your heart and its immediate function. Cardiovascular function and mental function go together, and a healthy heart can mean a healthy head, too, with less chance for cognitive deterioration and depression in older age. Guard your heart, and you're safeguarding your brain, too.

Our hearts have new enemies to face when we age. Awareness about common cardiovascular complications can allow seniors to respond early regarding heart care.

Atherosclerosis, a plaque build-up in arteries, is a problem for older adults. It narrows down arteries, shutting off blood flow to vital organs. It is often a silent problem until it causes a graver issue like a heart attack or stroke.

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is standard in seniors. It strains blood vessels and the heart, creating a risk for heart disease and stroke. Frequent blood pressure tests can detect early high blood pressure and manage it.

With age, the heart valve can start to lack efficiency in its function. It can develop heart defects like aortic stenosis or mitral valve regurgitation, impairing heart function in circulating blood effectively.

The heartbeats become irregular when aging. Atrial fibrillation, a heart arrhythmia, is common in older adults and can make a heart attack a threat with no correct remedy.

We must become aware of heart complications with age. Identifying early symptoms can go a long way toward preventing cardiovascular complications.

Discomfort in the chest is most recognizable as a sign of heart complications. It is experienced as pressure, squeezing, or tightness in the region of the heart. However, other symptoms can require concern. Shortness of breath, particularly in simple activities, could mean a problem. Sudden weakness or exhaustion, particularly with no apparent cause, cannot be overlooked.

Some cardiovascular complications have less apparent symptoms. Swelling in your ankles, legs, or feet can be a sign of heart failure. Palpitation, an irregular heartbeat, can be nothing but can have an issue in the background. Feeling dizzy, with additional symptoms, warrants consideration.

If acute chest pain explicitly radiates to your arm, jaw, or back, seek medical attention immediately. The sudden onset of these symptoms, with accompanying sweats, nausea, or shortness of breath, could indicate a heart attack. Remember, women have a different heart attack syndrome than men, including nausea, backaches in your back, or exhaustion.

Underestimate the importance of a medical check-up. With a medical check-up, your doctor can monitor your blood pressure, your cholesterol, and your heart in general. With early complications, these can become easier and more effective to manage, and your prognosis will be enhanced. Get proactive with your cardiovascular care and make an effort to schedule and attend these critical appointments.

Being a senior, proper care for your cardiovascular system is increasingly important. By living heart-smart, seniors can reduce heart disease and have an energetic and active life in their older years in full force.

A nutritious diet is the key to cardiovascular wellness. Consume a lot of fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, and lean proteins, and try to limit your consumption of saturated fats, trans fats, and sodium. Instead, opt for heart-healthy fats in foods like fish, nuts, and olive oils. Remember, little will make a big impact—try cutting out processed snacks and substituting them with fruits, or try substituting red meat with fish a couple of days a week.

Exercise regularly is essential in maintaining heart wellness. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderately energetic aerobic exercise daily or 75 minutes of vigorously energetic aerobic exercise a week. Examples include swimming, cycling, or walking at a fast pace. Don't forget to include twice-weekly strength training in your schedule to maintain your muscle mass and metabolism. Talk to your doctor first, however, to ensure exercising won't hurt your case.

Stress and sleep, when prolonged, can wreak havoc on heart wellness. Implement techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to manage your stress. Get 7-9 hours of quality sleep a night to allow your heart and body to rebuild and rejuvenate at night. Having a routine sleep schedule and a peaceful sleeping environment can go a long way in getting good sleep.

As you age, it is essential to care for your cardiovascular system in order to enjoy an active and fulfilling life. By being aware of your heart problem symptoms, practicing heart-healthy habits, and seeing your medical care professionals, you can significantly reduce your cardiovascular problem risk factors. Never say it is too late to make a positive difference in your life.