Heart health plays a pivotal role in how we experience each day – our energy levels, sense of balance, ability to engage with loved ones, and our overall independence. As we age, the cardiovascular system naturally undergoes changes: blood vessels may stiffen, the heart might need to pump harder, and conditions such as high blood pressure or irregular heartbeat may become more common. These changes are simply part of the aging process. What matters is how we respond to them.
At Maplewood, we believe that older adulthood is a time of opportunity, not limitation. With informed habits, meaningful support, and an environment built around well-being, older adults can continue to live with vitality, purpose, and connection.
Our hearts are resilient. Throughout our lives, they adapt to our activities, stresses, and the passage of time. With advancing age, you may notice changes like slightly elevated blood pressure, more pronounced swelling in the lower legs after sitting, or feeling more fatigued during activity. These changes are part of many people’s experience. What truly matters is awareness and steady support.
Scientific research supports this. A recent study found that older adults who maintained regular physical activity, even at moderate levels, had significantly lower risk of cardiovascular disease compared with those who remained inactive. This underscores the value of movement as our years increase.
Keeping the body moving is one of the most effective ways to protect the heart. Regular activity supports circulation, maintains muscle tone, and helps preserve balance and mobility. It doesn’t require marathon training; what matters is consistency and enjoyment.
For example, a large analysis showed that older adults engaging in recommended amounts of moderate to vigorous activity had a markedly lower risk of cardiovascular-related death. At Maplewood, our wellness programs make this practical: guided fitness classes, walking groups, gentle strength and balance sessions, and movement “snacks” throughout the day.
What we eat has a direct impact on blood pressure, cholesterol, and heart health. Dietary patterns rich in vegetables, fruit, whole grains, legumes, lean proteins, and healthy fats support cardiovascular wellness. The well-known “DASH” (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) pattern remains one of the most widely supported.
Meta-analyses have shown that adopting a DASH-style diet significantly lowers both systolic and diastolic blood pressure. Furthermore, reductions in sodium intake, coupled with the DASH pattern, yield additional benefit in lowering blood pressure. At Maplewood, our culinary team collaborates with dietitians to deliver menus aligned with these principles, while preserving flavor, choice, and dignity.
Restful sleep is not a luxury but a contributor to heart health. Meanwhile, emotional connection, purpose, and social engagement exert powerful influence over cardiovascular well-being. Prolonged stress or isolation may impair heart and vessel health, whereas meaningful interaction enhances it.
At Maplewood, our culture supports both through comfortable living environments, end-of-day relaxing routines, and ample opportunities for companionship, learning, and shared experiences.
There’s no need for alarm at every little change, but some signals merit prompt attention. These include:
When such signs appear, an early discussion with a clinician can make all the difference. Maplewood’s interdisciplinary care model is built to support these conversations and coordinate with residents’ primary physicians.
At Maplewood, heart health is woven into daily life – not just a program, but a structure of engagement, choice, and community.
In essence, our model empowers residents to live fully, maintain independence, and honor their heart health with the support of a caring community.
Supporting heart health is not a burdensome task, it is a practice of possibility. It’s choosing vibrant meals, enjoying movement that inspires, resting deeply, laughing freely, and embracing connection. Every positive choice, no matter how small, adds up.
At Maplewood, we surround older adults with the resources, community, and respect needed to live with heart-health in mind. Because vitality does not belong only to youth, it belongs to the intentional years ahead, too.
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