With age, the large arteries of the heart become stiff. This leads to hardening of the arteries and is known as arteriosclerosis. It also leads to high blood pressure due to which hypertension occurs. With age, plaque builds up inside the wall of the arteries resulting in hardening and narrowing of arteries. This limits the flow of oxygen-rich blood to reach the organs and other parts of the body. With time, the muscles of the heart become weak or damaged which can result in heart failure. Other changes that occur in the heart due to aging are arrhythmias which include rapid, slow, or irregular heartbeat.