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As we age, our arteries become harder and less flexible, leading to high blood pressure and other cardiovascular symptoms. Is this a consequence of genetics, or does it happen for other reasons? New research shows it’s possible to have healthy arteries well into your 50s, 60s and 70s.
What Does the Research Say?
According to a study of 3,196 adults over 50, a healthy lifestyle is more important than genetics to keep your arteries in good condition. The research was published in May 2017 in Hypertension, the journal of the American Heart Association. It shows that arterial hardening isn’t a natural consequence of aging — it’s dependent on controllable lifestyle factors.
The research found that people with healthy arteries had a 55 percent reduced risk of cardiovascular disease. The factors that contribute to arterial health include a healthy weight, low blood sugar and low cholesterol.
How to Keep Your Arteries, Heart and Blood Pressure Healthy
Lifestyle factors play a vital role in maintaining healthy arteries throughout life. But what are the most important lifestyle factors to pay attention to? The American Heart Association has created Life’s Simple 7, which lists the most important ways to keep your heart healthy.
Manage Your Blood Pressure
High blood pressure increases your risk of heart disease and stroke and can damage your kidneys too. Keep your blood pressure within a healthy range to reduce the strain on your cardiovascular system.
Control Your Cholesterol
Excess blood cholesterol contributes to the formation of arterial plaques, which clog arteries and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Manage your cholesterol to help your arteries stay clear.
Reduce Your Blood Sugar
Chronic high blood sugar can damage your organs, eyes and nervous system. Reduce your risk of heart and kidney damage, blindness and nerve damage by keeping your blood sugar within a healthy range.
Get Active
Regular physical activity helps control blood pressure, blood sugar and other factors that contribute to a healthy life. When you’re more active, you feel better and enjoy better health.
Improve Your Diet
Eating a heart-healthy diet is one of the best ways to fight cardiovascular disease. Include fresh whole foods, and avoid processed foods that are low in nutrition and high in fat and simple carbs.
Lose Weight
Excess weight makes your heart and lungs work harder. Losing the extra pounds lifts the burden, which can reduce blood pressure and make it easier to stay active.
Quit Smoking
Smoking tobacco increases your risk of cardiovascular disease and lung cancer. If you’re a smoker, quitting will have a bigger impact on your health than any of the other Simple 7.
