Invited review: aging and the cardiovascular system

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Physiology
• Gerontology
• Vascular Biology

Background:

• Aging is characterized by progressive structural and functional changes in the cardiovascular system.
• These changes include alterations in cardiac response to stimuli and arterial properties.
• Age-related modifications in cardiovascular reflexes are also observed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To summarize the multifaceted cardiovascular and reflex alterations associated with aging.
• To highlight the implications of these changes for circulatory homeostasis.
• To identify areas needing further mechanistic investigation in age-related cardiovascular changes.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on cardiovascular aging.
• Analysis of age-related changes in cardiac structure and function.
• Examination of alterations in arterial properties and baroreflex mechanisms.

Main Results:

• The aging heart shows hypertrophy and reduced responsiveness to sympathetic stimulation.
• Elastic arteries become stiffer and exhibit endothelial dysfunction, resembling early atherosclerosis.
• Arterial baroreflexes are altered, with impaired cardiac control but preserved peripheral vascular resistance control.

Conclusions:

• Aging induces significant cardiovascular structural and functional changes, affecting heart responsiveness and arterial stiffness.
• Age-related alterations in baroreflexes, particularly impaired baroreceptor control of the heart, impact circulatory regulation.
• These cumulative cardiovascular changes in aging have profound implications for maintaining circulatory homeostasis in both health and disease.