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Cardiovascular Disease in the Older Adult: Where Are We 4 Decades Later?
Farshad Forouzandeh1, Karen Alexander2, Daniel E Forman3
1University Hospitals Harrington Heart & Vascular Institute, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Insights
Geriatric cardiology has advanced significantly, focusing on the growing population of older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This review updates key areas from basic science to clinical practice and future research directions.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Cardiology
- Cardiovascular Disease in Older Adults
Background:
- The 1986 Bethesda Conference highlighted the impact of aging on cardiovascular disease (CVD).
- Older adults now represent a larger proportion of the CVD population, driving research.
- Geriatric cardiology has emerged as a distinct subspecialty.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide an update on geriatric cardiology.
- To review advances in the diagnosis and treatment of CVD in older adults.
- To preview future research in the field.
Main Methods:
- Literature review and synthesis of current research.
- Focus on basic science, clinical practice, and technological advancements.
- Analysis of major diagnostic and therapeutic progress.
Main Results:
- Significant research has occurred across all aspects of CVD in older adults.
- Major advances in diagnosis and treatment are evident.
- Geriatric cardiology is an established and evolving field.
Conclusions:
- Geriatric cardiology integrates geriatrics and cardiovascular medicine.
- Continued research is vital for addressing the complex needs of older adults with CVD.
- The field is dynamic, with ongoing developments in science and clinical care.
Abstract:
The 1986 Bethesda Conference on Cardiovascular Disease (CVD) in the Elderly, co-chaired by Drs Nanette Wenger, Frank Marcus, and Robert O'Rourke delineated the anticipated social, political, ethical, economic, and technological impact of an aging population on the incidence, prevalence, and management of CVD in the United States and worldwide. In the ensuing 4 decades, older patients have come to comprise an increasingly large proportion of the CVD population, and there has been an explosion of research in all aspects of CVD affecting older adults. Correspondingly, geriatric cardiology is now an established field within cardiovascular medicine. In this communication, we provide a focused update on intersections between CVD and geriatrics from basic science to clinical practice, a review of major advances in diagnosis and treatment of older adults with CVD, and a preview of future research directions in the still-evolving field of geriatric cardiology.
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