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Age-Related Changes to the Heart

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Submitted By bjean1220
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As we age, many changes occur in the cardiovascular system. Our heart is a strong muscle that beats about 100,000 times a day. With each beat of the heart, blood is pumped to the lungs via pulmonary circulation and to the rest of the body via systemic circulation. The pumping of the heart enables the body to receive oxygen and rid the body of carbon dioxide. Your heart pumps 30 times its own weight each minute. This amounts to about 5 liters of blood pumped to the lungs and to the rest of your body. It is, therefore understandable why the heart changes as we age. As we age, and the body starts to wear out, diseases such as coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, and myocardial infarction start to become evident. Coronary artery disease occurs when the arteries become hardened and narrow due to buildup of plaque and cholesterol. As the buildup grows, less blood can flow through the arteries and the heart does not get the necessary oxygen it needs. The lack of oxygen can lead to chest pain or a heart attack. Coronary artery disease can weaken heart muscles over time. Weakened heart muscles can lead to heart failure. Congestive heart failure starts when the pumping of the heart becomes weaker. With the weaker heart rate, the blood moves through the body more slowly and the pressure in the heart builds. As the pump becomes less effective, more blood remains in the heart. The less the heart pumps, the less pumping capability the heart has. As a result, the heart does not pump enough oxygen or nutrients to the body. If the left ventricle fails first, the blood will back up in the lungs, which will lead to fluid also backing up in the lungs. If the right ventricle fails first, blood backs up in the veins causing the kidneys to have an increase in blood volume. This leads to edema in the feet and ankles. One cause of congestive heart failure is

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