There are also small changes in the heart muscle, which means it becomes thinner with time as well. “The purpose of the heart valves is to support efficient blood flow and stop it going backwards.”As you age, your aortic valve can become narrowed, forcing the heart to work harder — a condition called aortic stenosis — according to the Irish Heart Foundation. People may experience fluttering in their chest, dizziness, or blacking out, or no symptoms at all.”More risk of heart attacks“The most common risk factor for a heart attack is age,” says Bhuva. “Smoking damages the arteries and enables cholesterol plaque build-up.”Monitor blood pressure and cholesterol levels“Make sure you are monitoring your cholesterol and blood pressure,” advises Bhuva. “Once you get to the age of 40, we recommend a health check by your doctor to check blood pressure, cholesterol, and other common risk factors.

Source: Irish Examiner February 06, 2026 02:00 UTC