Cardiologist Dr. Mike Rocha reflects on heart health, aging, and everyday choices for American Heart Month
Heart health is often framed around what happens in an exam room—or an operating room. But according to Dr. Mike Rocha, a local cardiologist and longtime advocate for wellness-based care, some of the most powerful influences on the heart show up in everyday life: how we eat, move, manage stress, and stay connected to others.
In this American Heart Month Q&A, Dr. Rocha reflects on what people tend to overlook as they age, why “knowing what to do” isn’t always enough, and how social connection, movement, and realistic support can make a measurable difference in heart health. He also shares the one small change he believes can have the biggest impact—especially for older adults navigating loss, isolation, or major life transitions.
Senior Scope: After years of caring for patients and helping people connect to wellness programs, what’s one heart-health lesson you think people overlook as they age?
Dr. Mike Rocha: They often overlook that each of us has more of a role in their own health than we think. Yes, family history is important but at some point as people age, it is less about our genes and more of how they are able to take care of ourselves. Diet, activity, managing stress, and social connections can’t be underestimated.
We have made it seem that heart health only occurs in the operating room, through a stent or in a pill. All of our technology is great and has helped people live longer, but if people aren’t able to change their lifestyles, they may end up needing more procedures.
Senior Scope: Many people know what they “should” do for their heart but struggle to follow through. What gets in the way most often and how can people work with that reality instead of fighting it?
Dr. Mike Rocha: One frequent obstacle is eating heart healthy. For example, if someone loses a significant other, they may not want to cook for one. They often resort to less healthy options such as fast foods, eating out, delivery or take out. Many of these options have a significant hidden salt load. Many heart conditions are best managed with lower salt intake, less processed foods, less red meat, cheese, and dairy. Certainly, if people are eating out, it is important to navigate the menu to make the best choices under the circumstances and some restaurants go out of their way to show heart healthier options which I applaud.
Eating healthier can be expensive, time consuming and overwhelming for folks to navigate. More fish, fruits and vegetables sounds like an easy goal, but it may not be easy to achieve. A less than ideal diet can make managing blood pressure, fluid retention, and high cholesterol a big challenge. Agencies that can assist with providing healthy options is super important. Family members and friends that can jump in and help with shopping can make a big difference.
Senior Scope: You’ve helped bring yoga, walking groups, and even happiness workshops into heart health. Why do these “non-medical” approaches matter so much for the heart?
Dr. Mike Rocha: Social connections matter. Getting your steps in matter. Flexibility matters. Lower stress matters. These different activities help balance many hormonal levels in our bodies such as the stress hormones that regulate pathways that impact our blood pressure, heart rate, and subsequently our overall heart health.
Senior Scope: How does social connection, or isolation, show up in heart health, especially for older adults?
Dr. Mike Rocha: Loneliness or isolation is a huge problem. The associated depression results in people avoiding the activities they need to be healthy like walking, buying and eating healthy foods, taking their medicines, and can accelerate heart disease. The local councils on aging can help curb some of the isolation that people maybe experiencing with some fantastic programs. It can’t be underestimated, the importance of checking on older family members and getting them out.
Senior Scope: If someone could make just one small, realistic change this year for their heart, what would you suggest and why that one?
Dr. Mike Rocha: All of the important heart healthy behaviors have to begin with strong social connections. Focussing and improving those connections not only makes life worth living, it motivates us to eat well, move more, take our medications, and follow up with health professions. For an aging population, many of whom have significant losses of loved ones and loss of independence, it’s not easy but can make a world of difference for their overall well-being and their heart health.
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