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[Age-induced changes in the cardiovascular system in normal subjects]
L Badano1, L Carratino, L Giunta
1Servizio di Cardiologia, Ospedale di Nervi, Genova.
Giornale Italiano Di Cardiologia
|September 1, 1992
Summary
Aging affects cardiac structure and function, leading to decreased aortic compliance and increased arterial pressure. While systolic function remains stable, diastolic filling velocity declines with age.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Gerontology
- Cardiovascular Physiology
Background:
- Aging is associated with cardiovascular changes, but the specific effects on cardiac structure and function in healthy individuals require detailed assessment.
- Understanding age-related cardiac alterations is crucial for differentiating normal physiological changes from pathological conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the impact of advancing adult age on cardiac structure and function in healthy, physically active individuals.
- To identify specific cardiovascular parameters that change significantly with age.
Main Methods:
- Echocardiograms were performed on 104 healthy volunteers (18-84 years old) with no history of hypertension or cardiovascular disease.
- Analysis included measurements of aortic compliance, arterial pressures, cardiac dimensions, left ventricular volumes, wall thickness, mass, systolic function, and diastolic filling patterns using pulsed Doppler.
Main Results:
- Advancing age correlated with decreased aortic compliance, increased systolic, diastolic, pulse, and mean arterial pressures, and modest enlargement of the aortic root and left atrium.
- Left ventricular end-diastolic volume, wall thickness, and mass increased with age, but end-systolic volume remained unchanged. Systolic function (ejection fraction, cardiac index) was unaffected.
- Diastolic function showed age-related changes, including a decline in peak early filling velocity and an increase in peak late diastolic flow velocity and isovolumic relaxation time.
Conclusions:
- Aging leads to significant alterations in cardiac structure and arterial properties, including increased arterial stiffness and altered left ventricular mass.
- While systolic function is preserved in healthy aging, diastolic filling patterns significantly change, indicating impaired relaxation and filling.
- These findings help establish normative reference values for cardiac structure and function across the adult lifespan in healthy individuals.