Impaired balance may be associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease, which encompasses conditions that affect the heart and blood vessels. Conversely, heart conditions like heart failure may also impair your balance.

The association between reduced balance and heart health is still being studied, but some research suggests that impaired balance may result in lower activity levels, which can adversely affect heart health. On the other hand, existing heart conditions may cause symptoms like dizziness or reduced exercise tolerance, which can affect someone’s balance.

If you think you may have balance issues, you may want to explore balance testing with a healthcare professional.

The risks of balance issues and heart conditions increase as people age. However, there may be a particular association between the two.

A large 2023 study in older Korean adults found an association between impaired balance function and a higher risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Though the exact mechanisms aren’t fully understood, the researchers suggest that impaired balance function — which often happens with age — can cause older adults to reduce their activity levels for fear of falling. Lower activity levels can increase CVD risk.

This is further backed up by a 2024 study in older people without CVD. People who swayed while standing, with their eyes open or closed, had a higher risk of cardiovascular disease. A 2025 study also suggests that people with good balance ability have a lower CVD risk.

The connection between balance and heart health may also go the other way, meaning existing heart conditions may hinder balance.

For example, a small 2020 study found that people with heart failure may have impaired balance. The reasons for this weren’t explored, but another study from 2022 notes that people with chronic heart failure can have reduced muscle strength and exercise capacity, which may affect balance.

Heart failure may also cause symptoms such as dizziness and swelling in the lower limbs, which may impair balance.

Balance training, as part of cardiac rehabilitation, may help improve balance disorders and prevent falls.

Your doctor may recommend checking your balance regularly, particularly as you age.

A common balance test is the one-leg standing test, which involves standing on one leg and measuring the amount of time you can stay steady. You may do this test with your eyes open or closed.

Your doctor may also use other tests to evaluate your balance, such as the Romberg test. This test typically involves standing with your feet together, once with your eyes open and once with them closed. Your doctor may count the seconds that you can stand with your eyes closed.

Ask your doctor about balance tests you may need and whether you can do them at home.

Stay safe

You may be able to test your balance at home with your doctor’s approval, but it’s essential to do so safely.

Be sure to stand near something, like a chair, that you can hold onto if you start to lose your balance. It may also help to have another person with you who can help you steady yourself. You may also want to place cushions or other padding on the floor around you, so that if you fall, your chances of being hurt are lower.

To improve your balance, your doctor may recommend balance training as part of an overall exercise plan. This can involve various activities, including:

Not only can these types of activities improve balance, strength, and flexibility, but they can also be good for your heart.

A mix of aerobic and strength activities may provide the most benefits. Current guidelines recommend 150 to 300 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity per week, with two days of strength training activities. Older adults should also incorporate balance training.

It’s best to talk with a healthcare professional to create an activity plan that’s appropriate for your age and overall health. You may need to adjust the level of intensity or amount of activity you aim for depending on your specific situation.

If you think you may have balance issues, consider talking with a healthcare professional about balance tests. You can start with a primary care doctor, or you may want to visit a specialist who can diagnose and manage balance disorders, such as:

If you already have a heart condition or have a higher risk of developing heart issues, a cardiologist may also be able to coordinate balance testing.

In some cases, impaired balance may be an indicator of increased cardiovascular risk. Conversely, heart conditions like heart failure may cause symptoms that adversely affect balance.

If you want to undergo balance testing or do a comprehensive risk assessment for heart conditions, talk with a healthcare professional.