Aging is a testament to our strength and the benefits of aging well.

Aging brings experience and wisdom — you’ve lived through events and gathered perspective that only time can give. Aging brings resilience — your body has healed from illnesses and challenges, and the stress-related health issues. Every note in a medical history reflects survival and adaptation.

Instead of viewing it as purely negative, it can be a part of the natural maintenance cycle of a body that’s lasted over many years. Like a well-loved home, there are occasional repairs, but the structure remains strong. 

Posterior Vitreous Detachment (PVD)

Natural aging causes posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). The vitreous is a gel inside the eye that helps maintain its shape. When you’re young, it’s thick and firmly attached to the retina. As you age, it liquefies (becomes more watery), shrinks, and pulls away from the retina. This is a normal aging process, just like getting wrinkles or grey hair. Almost everyone will experience it eventually. Even though some of these changes, like a vitreous detachment, can feel unsettling, it can be a sign that your eyes have been with you for many decades, serving you well.

Enlargement of the left atrium of the heart

The enlargement of the left atrium (one of the upper chambers of the heart) can be caused by long-term strain from high blood pressure. Over time, high blood pressure can gradually stretch and enlarge the left atrium, which slightly increases the risk of developing an irregular heartbeat known as atrial fibrillation. This can be overcome with medication, regular blood pressure monitoring, and periodic heart scans to track the size of the atrium and valve function. One should monitor and seek medical help if symptoms such as palpitations, a rapid or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, or unexplained fatigue, occur.