What happens to heart walls as a person ages?

As a person ages, the heart walls tend to thicken, primarily due to the accumulation of cardiac muscle cells and connective tissue. This thickening can be a response to various factors, including increased workload on the heart from hypertension and other cardiovascular conditions that often develop with age.

The thickened walls can affect heart function, as they may reduce the heart's ability to fill with blood adequately during diastole, potentially leading to diastolic heart failure. Additionally, the increased connective tissue can lead to a stiffer heart, affecting the overall elasticity and compliance compared to a younger heart.

In summary, the thickening of the heart walls as a person ages is a vital consideration in understanding cardiovascular health and the adaptations that the heart undergoes throughout life.