Medical issues that are more common in older age range from markers such as high cholesterol to conditions like arthritis, diabetes, and, in more serious cases, heart disease and stroke.

Most biological functions reach their peak before age 30 and then gradually decline over time. This may sound disheartening, but in many cases, you won’t begin to notice significant effects until you reach older age.

At this point, you might experience changes like reduced muscle and bone strength or shifts in hearing and vision. That said, not everyone experiences all these natural changes, and healthy habits such as regular exercise and a balanced diet can help slow their effects.

At the same time, reaching older age means that you’re more likely to develop one or more medical conditions, which can add further challenges to your everyday life. Read on to learn about common health issues that tend to affect older adults.

Did you know?

Living with one chronic condition is a risk factor for developing another. More than 90% of older adults live with at least one health condition, while over 70% live with multiple.

If you’re eligible for Medicare and live with two or more chronic conditions lasting a year or longer, Medicare may help pay for a provider to coordinate your care across multiple disciplines.

In addition, consider enrolling in a Chronic Condition Special Needs Plan (C-SNP). This private Medicare plan may offer you additional coverage geared toward living with chronic conditions.

Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic condition that leads to elevated blood sugar levels. It’s mainly classified as type 1 or type 2, depending on whether the body produces too little insulin or is unable to use it properly.

Nearly 30% of people over the age of 65 live with a form of diabetes, equivalent to about 16.5 million individuals. While type 2 diabetes is more common among this age group, cases of type 1 are rising.

Arthritis refers to over 100 conditions that cause joint inflammation, pain, stiffness, and swelling. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that at least half of Americans living with arthritis may be 65 years old and older.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis among older adults. Other common types include gout and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Arthritis can contribute to disability — about 50% of people over age 65 who live with a disability or cannot work report having the condition.

Obesity refers to having a body mass index (BMI) above 30 and a waist of 40 inches or more in males or 35 inches or more in females.

The general prevalence of obesity among American adults is around 40%. However, people over 60 were among the age groups for whom this prevalence was higher.

In older adults, obesity may be linked to increased challenges with mobility or healthy eating and a slower metabolism. It’s now recognized as a major cause of disability, reduced quality of life, and higher nursing home admissions among older adults.

Cholesterol is a type of fat produced by the body that helps with processes such as building cells and hormone production. HDL cholesterol is known as “good” cholesterol, while LDL cholesterol is known as “bad” cholesterol.

Excess LDL raises the risk of heart disease, as does high blood pressure (hypertension). Hypertension occurs when blood consistently pushes against the walls of your blood vessels with too much force.

The prevalence of high blood pressure in people over 60 is over 60%. The prevalence of high cholesterol in this age group is lower, at 11.3%, but not insignificant.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is the gradual, irreversible loss of kidney function, most often related to high blood pressure or diabetes, as well as other risk factors such as obesity, smoking, and high cholesterol.

Age is also a risk factor for developing CKD, affecting more people over age 60 and as many as half of those over age 75. For this reason, the National Kidney Foundation advises people over 60 to get screened for kidney disease annually.

Medicare and ESRD

If you live with end stage renal disease (ESRD), the final stage of CKD, you can qualify for Medicare coverage before the age of 65.

In addition, you can qualify for Medicare earlier if you receive Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI). A list of qualifying conditions is available on SSA.gov.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an umbrella term for lung diseases such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis that slowly make it harder to breathe.

Although asthma is a distinct condition, it can present with similar symptoms, including coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath.

If you live with asthma, you have a higher risk of developing COPD, especially at an older age. Around 7% of older Americans live with asthma, while COPD may affect between 20% and 25% of people over age 70.

The likelihood of having a stroke rises with age. About 75% of strokes occur in people over the age of 65. Stroke is also the second leading cause of death in those ages 60 and older.

The average age of stroke occurrence is about 74 years, and the common type of stroke that occurs in older adults is ischemic stroke.

Is it a stroke?

Recognizing the symptoms of a stroke in someone can play an important role in improving their outcome. Experts recommend you BE-FAST:

  • Balance: Are they having trouble with balance or coordination?
  • Eyes: Are they experiencing visual symptoms, like double vision or blurry vision?
  • Face: Does one side of their face droop if they try to smile?
  • Arms: Can they lift both arms, or is one arm weak or numb?
  • Speech: Is their speech slurred or difficult to understand?
  • Time: If any of the above symptoms are present, call 911 or your local emergency services without delay.

Prompt treatment is key to preventing brain damage, long-term disability, or death. It’s better to be overly cautious, so don’t be afraid to seek emergency medical help if you think you recognize the signs of a stroke.

As you age, your heart may begin to experience changes that can raise the risk of heart disease, an umbrella term for conditions that affect this organ’s structure and function.

Common forms of heart disease include arteriosclerosis, atherosclerosis, angina, and heart attack. Research suggests that as many as 78% of men and 76% of women ages 60 to 79 live with some kind of heart disease. Among people over the age of 80, this rises to about 86% of men and 85% of women.

Is it a heart attack?

Heart attacks occur when blood flow to the heart is blocked. Symptoms can include chest pain or pressure, nausea, sweating, shortness of breath, pain spreading to the arms, neck, or back, dizziness, or anxiety.

If you think someone is having a heart attack:

  1. Dial 911 or the number of the nearest emergency department.
  2. Stay with the person until emergency services arrive.

If a person stops breathing before emergency services arrive, perform manual chest compressions:

  1. Lock fingers together and place the base of your hands in the center of your chest.
  2. Position your shoulders over your hands and lock your elbows.
  3. Press hard and fast, at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute, to a depth of 2 inches.
  4. Continue these movements until the person starts to breathe or move.
  5. If needed, swap over with someone else without pausing compressions.

Use an automatic external defibrillator (AED) available in many public places. An AED provides a shock that may restart the heart. Follow the instructions on the defibrillator or listen to the guided instructions.

Cancer refers to a broad group of diseases in which atypical cells grow and divide uncontrollably. The risk of developing cancer rises sharply with age, climbing from very low rates in youth to over 1,000 cases per 100,000 people in those 60 and older.

Research suggests that the most common cancers in men over the age of 65 may be prostate, lung, colon, or bladder cancer. In women, it’s breast, colon, lung, and pancreatic cancer.

With age, you may see physical changes that negatively affect your muscle and bone strength, as well as other bodily systems, though not everyone experiences them in the same way.

Older age also brings a higher likelihood of developing chronic health conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, or high cholesterol. Depending on your specific situation, living with a chronic health problem isn’t always easy.

That said, there are ways to manage it. For starters, it’s important to work with your doctor on a care plan and take any medications as directed. It can also help to learn more about your health and what to expect through research, joining a support program, staying active, and eating a balanced diet.