Cardiovascular Aging

Aim: Aging is a major process that results in changes in cardiovascular structure and function in elderly people. The aim of this review to summarize the effect of aging on some aspects of cardiovascular structure and function. Result: Increased arterial stiffness alters afterload and left ventricular shape. Age related deteriorations in left ventricular structure and functions are impaired ejection reserve, increase in diastolic volume and an altered diastolic filling pattern. Reduction in the number of myocytes and deterioration of subcellular structure are also remarkable with advanced age. Significant alterations in cardiovascular function during exercise are also demonstrated in elderly people. Conclusion: Significant changes have been noted in the structure and function of the cardiovascular system in older people that are considered to be the result of aging. These changes can be regarded as either adaptive or early preclinical disease, but they occur in the absence of clinically manifest dysfunction.