World Heart Day 2023: How Cardiovascular Health Differs Across Different Age Groups? See What Experts Say

As we traverse different age groups, the needs and challenges of our cardiovascular system evolve.

All About Cardiovascular Health Differs Across Different Age Groups

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In the pursuit of overall health and well-being, cardiovascular health stands as a cornerstone, being an essential facet that impacts individuals across various age groups. It's not only about longevity but also about the quality of life one experiences at every stage. As we traverse different age groups, the needs and challenges of our cardiovascular system evolve.

Cardiovascular Issues Across Different Age Groups:

Dr. Naveen Bhamri, who is the Senior Director & HOD - Interventional Cardiology, at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Shalimar Bagh said, "Cardiovascular health is a critical aspect of overall well-being that evolves throughout one's life. It's essential to understand the distinct considerations and risks associated with heart health at different age groups."

He listed down the cardiovascular issues that can happen to individuals at different age groups and how to prevent/manage them:

Children & Adolescents (1-19 years):

Common heart ailments in this age group include congenital heart defects, rheumatic heart disease, Kawasaki Disease, and acquired heart conditions. Regular check-ups with pediatricians and cardiologists are vital for early detection.

Younger Population (20-39 years):

The heart conditions among them include hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity-related issues, smoking-related problems, and arrhythmias. Prioritizing heart health early can significantly reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases later in life.

Middle-Aged Population (40-64 years):

Some heart ailments in this age group encompass coronary artery disease, hypertension, high cholesterol, arrhythmias, heart failure, and heart attacks. Regular health check-ups and adherence to a heart-healthy lifestyle are crucial for prevention and management.

Older & Senior Citizens (64 and above):

Heart conditions in this age group include coronary artery disease, hypertension, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, valvular heart disease, and heart attacks. They should maintain a heart-healthy diet, engage in appropriate physical activity, manage chronic conditions, avoid smoking and excessive alcohol, manage stress, adhere to medications, and undergo regular check-ups.

How To Take Care Of Cardiovascular Health Across Different Age Groups:

In this regard, Dr. Divya Singh, who is a Senior Surgeon at Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, and Director of Maaiya Social Change Front Foundation said, "During childhood and adolescence, cardiovascular health often takes root. Building robust foundations during these formative years can lay the groundwork for a healthy heart throughout life. Encouraging physical activity, fostering healthy eating habits, and addressing congenital heart conditions are paramount during this period. It's also a time to nurture a fondness for activities that promote cardiovascular fitness, such as sports and recreational play."

"As we transition into young adulthood, typically in our twenties and thirties, the focus shifts to maintaining the heart's vitality. Lifestyle choices often undergo significant changes during this phase. Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and effective stress management become vital components. It's an age where quitting smoking and being mindful of alcohol intake are particularly important. Regular check-ups can assist in detecting emerging risk factors and ensuring early intervention," she added.

Talking about middle age, she said, "Middle age brings a heightened awareness of cardiovascular health when factors like cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and weight management take center stage. Incorporating heart-healthy foods, staying physically active, and considering risk factors like family history are pivotal. Routine health assessments are advised to monitor changes and implement preventative measures."

"The onset of old age presents unique challenges for cardiovascular health. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise and a nutrient-rich diet, remains crucial. Medication management becomes more common for many individuals, and close communication with healthcare providers is essential. Mental and emotional well-being plays a significant role in overall heart health, underscoring the importance of stress reduction and nurturing a robust support system," she further went on to say.

General Tips For All Life Stages:

Dr. Mickey Mehta said, "Due to a variety of variables, including genetics, lifestyle choices, and access to treatment, cardiovascular health can range dramatically among different age groups. Any emotional and psychological strain, pain, drain and stress can certainly affect the heart a lot. Additionally, cardiovascular health also gets affected by wrong choices of food, eating insensibly and unintelligently, wrong times and wrong quantities. So food, mental and emotional health, lethargy, inactive lifestyle and most importantly lack of rest - means no repair and restore, no revival, no revitalising and lack of recreation – all of these affects cardiovascular health."

He also listed down some tips for all life stages:

• The right holistic approach to wellness and health at all stages of life will help.
• One of the best things you can do for your heart health is to avoid intoxicants. 
• Additionally, maintaining hydration by consuming lots of water, herbal teas, kadhas, vegetable juices, and soups supports cardiovascular and general health.
• Exercise is one very good way, in particularly yoga, with pranayama and movements, postures in poetry. Great way to heal our hearts and make them whole again.
• Sleeping and resting well by getting quality sleep each night to support heart health and overall well-being is also an important factor.
• Keep in mind that maintaining heart health requires a lifetime commitment, and that small, sustainable changes made over time can have a big impact.
• Super intellect, super thoughts, fantastic creativity, and a super attitude might result from a heart-friendly way of living. It may produce sattva gunas, or optimism, which may inspire you to be innovative and effective.  
• A healthy lifestyle can promote empathy, sympathy, and compassion as well as healing and graceful aging. 
• It can also make you whole and complete as well as integrated.

Cholesterol And Heart Health:

Dr. Ramesh Kumar, who is the Chief of Laboratory Operations (Kerala), at Metropolis Healthcare Limited said, "Coronary artery disease (CAD) stands as one of the leading causes of mortality and morbidity, contributing significantly to the alarming increase in death rates in India. The primary culprits behind this concerning trend are sedentary lifestyles and diets rich in fatty foods. Lipid profile testing becomes crucial to monitor cholesterol levels, encompassing both HDL and LDL fractions, as well as Triglycerides."

"To maintain heart health, it's recommended that healthy individuals must keep the ratio of LDL to HDL at 2:1. For instance, with an HDL level of 50 mg/dl, LDL can go up to 100 mg/dl, resulting in a total Cholesterol level around 150 mg/dl. Keeping Cholesterol levels below 200 mg/dl for the general population and 150 mg/dl for high-risk individuals with a family history is essential in reducing the risk of coronary heart disease," he continued to say.

"Individuals must make informed decisions on how to manage their cholesterol levels through exercise and dietary fat reduction. Whenever cholesterol levels are elevated, and the LDL/HDL ratio exceeds accepted norms, seeking medical attention is vital to mitigate the risk of developing CAD. In addition to cholesterol levels, other crucial laboratory investigations, such as Lpa, Apolipoprotein A/B, and homocysteine, help assess the risk of CAD. Risk factors for CAD can be categorized into non-modifiable and modifiable factors. Non-modifiable factors encompass age, sex, and family history, while modifiable factors include diabetes mellitus (DM), smoking, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and obesity," he added.

[Disclaimer: The information provided in the article, including treatment suggestions shared by doctors, is intended for general informational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.]