Steps to Walk Out of, or Side Track, Cardiovascular Disease to Achieve Longevity

Aging is a relentless process of gradual physio-biochemical non-reversible deterioration that significantly influences human health, leading to declining cellular function and increasing cellular damage; it is recognized as a major risk factor for atherosclerosis and cardiovascular (CV) disease (CVD), the leading cause of death worldwide. Although aging is inevitable, healthy aging is the key to well-being. Longevity is a desirable yet complex outcome influenced by a wide range of factors, including genetics, lifestyle choices, healthcare access, socio-economic conditions, and other environmental factors. The compromised efficiency of processes that counteract age-associated molecular damage affects CVD susceptibility and expedites the emergence of clinical disease. Recently recognized key resilience mechanisms related to aging may constitute new potential therapeutic targets. Geroscience focuses on the discovery and translation of methods and interventions to curtail or reverse age-related deficits that compromise quality of life for older individuals. The geroscience paradigm, increasingly acknowledged in medical specialties, renders possible the prevention of premature aging, the optimal treatment of geriatric diseases, the reduction of healthcare disparities and prejudices, and the extension of the population's health span. These important geroscience issues, including multimorbidity, frailty, tendency to frequent falls, cognitive and multisensory impairment, cardiac arrhythmias, coronary disease and heart failure, as well as undernutrition, sarcopenia and polypharmacy, are herein discussed, together with recent relevant medical advances. Emphasis is placed on boosting psychology and also on pharmacological and nonpharmacological interventions such as exercise and physical activity, healthy diets and lifestyle that target key components of aging, which might assist in both primary (geroprotection) and secondary prevention (gerotherapeutics) of CV and other diseases posing an enormous challenge in older age. The geroscience paradigm is increasingly recognized in medical specialties, enabling the prevention of premature aging, optimal management of geriatric ailments, reduction of health-care disparities and prejudices, and potential improvement of the population's health-span.