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Measuring Ascending Aortic Stiffness In Vivo in Mice Using Ultrasound
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Aortic Stiffness: A Major Risk Factor for Multimorbidity in the Elderly
Filippos Triposkiadis1,2, Andrew Xanthopoulos2, Konstantinos Lampropoulos1
1School of Medicine, European University Cyprus, 2404 Nicosia, Cyprus.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|March 29, 2023
Summary
Aging increases aortic stiffness, leading to multimorbidity in the elderly. Interventions like exercise and blood pressure control can delay aortic stiffness and reduce multiple health conditions in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology and cardiovascular health.
- Public health and aging populations.
- Clinical medicine and geriatric care.
Background:
- Multimorbidity, the presence of multiple chronic conditions, is a significant challenge in healthcare, exacerbated by population aging.
- Aging is linked to increased aortic stiffness (AoStiff), a factor contributing to various conditions common in the elderly.
- These conditions include hypertension, ischemic heart disease, heart failure, atrial fibrillation, chronic kidney disease, anemia, ischemic stroke, and dementia.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the relationship between aortic stiffness and multimorbidity in the aging population.
- To identify factors influencing specific multimorbidity patterns in the elderly.
- To highlight interventions that may mitigate aortic stiffness and subsequent multimorbidity.
Main Methods:
- The study reviews existing literature on aging, aortic stiffness, and multimorbidity.
- It analyzes the link between increased aortic stiffness and common elderly morbidities.
- It discusses factors such as sex, ethnicity, and genomics in shaping multimorbidity patterns.
Main Results:
- Aortic stiffness is a key factor in the development of multiple chronic conditions in older adults.
- Multimorbidity patterns are influenced by a complex interplay of demographic, genetic, and environmental factors.
- Interventions targeting aortic stiffness show promise in managing multimorbidity.
Conclusions:
- Addressing aortic stiffness is crucial for managing multimorbidity in the aging population.
- Lifestyle modifications and medical interventions can delay aortic stiffness progression.
- Proactive management of aortic stiffness may reduce the burden of multiple diseases in the elderly.
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