
Your heart is an incredible organ, tirelessly pumping oxygen-rich blood throughout your body. It has its own built-in electrical system to keep your heartbeat steady. As you age, it continues working—just at a slightly different pace. While a resting heart rate stays about the same, your heart may not respond as quickly to stress or exertion. Changes in heart size, valve function, and rhythm can also occur, making heart health even more important as we get older. The good news? There’s a lot you can do to stay heart-healthy.
Stay Active & Find the Joy in Movement
Regular movement is one of the best things you can do for your heart. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of physical activity per week. However, even small amounts of movement can make a difference. Wesley’s fitness trainers see it every day.
“Fitness shouldn’t just be an obligation; it should be an enjoyable journey toward health and vitality,” says Wesley Des Moines Health & Fitness Supervisor Ruben Pereyra. He recalls one resident who initially only walked for exercise. After trying strength training, she discovered a whole new level of energy and now attends multiple classes a day.
Health & Fitness Trainer Chelsea Beck at Wesley Bradley Park emphasizes the fun and social benefits of fitness. “We have constant laughter during class. I might push them. They might get a little sore, but they always come back for the laughter and support from their fitness community.”
Balance and strength training are especially important for seniors, as they help maintain bone density and prevent falls. Wesley offers classes like weight lifting, balance training, and even memory-boosting movement sessions. “I wish more older adults realized the importance of lifting weights to help strengthen bones,” Chelsea says. “Supervised classes help ensure good form, and it’s easier to stay motivated in a group.”
Ruben agrees and reflects, “Residents often find that trying a new class opens their minds to a whole new level of physical engagement, helping them realize how each session enhances their strength, balance, and overall well-being in ways they hadn’t imagined.”
Nourish Your Heart with Smart Food Choices
A heart-healthy diet is rich in whole foods—fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and fiber-rich grains—while being low in saturated fats, added sugars, and sodium. The body can become more sensitive to salt as we age, which can lead to high blood pressure and swelling. The DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet is a great way to maintain a balanced, heart-healthy eating plan. The good news is that Wesley communities provide a variety of dining options, from the casual, café-style bistro to more formal dining rooms which offer healthy meals every day.
Prioritize Rest & Stress Management
Quality sleep and stress management are often overlooked aspects of heart health. Exercise can help reduce stress, but so can mindfulness activities, social engagement, and simple relaxation techniques. Finding a supportive and lively community, like those at Wesley, also plays a big role in overall well-being.
Chelsea has noticed that movement plays a huge role in stress relief. “What a lot of residents don’t expect is how much stretching helps with pain management and how much fun we actually have in class. There’s tons of laughter and goofing off, but they still get a great workout,” she says.
A Heart-Healthy Lifestyle is a Gift to Yourself
Whether it’s through movement, diet, or social engagement, making small, positive changes now can lead to a healthier tomorrow. Take inspiration from those who are thriving at Wesley—like one resident in Chelsea’s fitness class who went from using a wheelchair to walking, laughing, and leading the charge in fitness classes.
“She started class, and hit it off right away!” Chelsea shares. “She always sits in front and makes the other residents laugh. She’s also taking our balance and memory movement classes. These people are thriving!”
Your heart works hard for you. Show it some love by making choices that keep it strong and healthy for years to come.