Related Experiment Video

Updated: Aug 8, 2026

Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery
08:17

Murine Echocardiography of Left Atrium, Aorta, and Pulmonary Artery

Published on: February 20, 2017

Cardiac failure in the elderly

M A Alpert

    American Family Physician
    |September 1, 1984
    PubMed

    Insights

    Cardiac failure in older adults shares causes with younger individuals but involves unique age-related changes. Management adapts standard treatments for reduced kidney function and better patient adherence.

    Area of Science:

    • Geriatric Cardiology
    • Internal Medicine
    • Cardiovascular Disease

    Background:

    • Cardiac failure (heart failure) affects both younger and older populations.
    • Aging introduces specific physiological changes that can influence cardiac function.

    Observation:

    • Geriatric patients may present with cardiac decompensation due to age-specific abnormalities.
    • The aging process itself can lead to physiological alterations impacting the heart.

    Findings:

    • Cardiac failure in the elderly stems from common etiologies and unique geriatric factors.
    • Age-related physiological changes contribute significantly to cardiac decompensation in seniors.

    Implications:

    • Therapeutic strategies for elderly cardiac failure require modifications for renal function and compliance.
    • Tailored management is crucial for optimizing outcomes in geriatric cardiac patients.

    More Related Videos

    Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine10:08

    Tachycardia-Induced Cardiomyopathy As a Chronic Heart Failure Model in Swine

    Published on: February 17, 2018

    A Surgical Model of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Tibetan Minipigs07:09

    A Surgical Model of Heart Failure with Preserved Ejection Fraction in Tibetan Minipigs

    Published on: February 18, 2022

    Related Concept Videos

    Pathophysiology of Heart Failure01:17

    Pathophysiology of Heart Failure

    Heart failure (HF) is a progressive syndrome involving ventricles that leads to inadequate cardiac output. It can be classified based on location and output or ejection fraction. Ejection fraction (EF) is an essential measurement in the diagnosis and surveillance of HF. Reduced EF corresponds to systolic heart failure (HFrEF). However, HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is becoming increasingly prevalent. Also known as diastolic HF, this form of HF is related to aging. The...
    Imbalances in Cardiac Output01:26

    Imbalances in Cardiac Output

    The heart's primary function is to pump blood throughout the body, maintaining a balance between blood sent out (cardiac output) and blood returning (venous return). If this balance is disrupted, it can result in congestive heart failure (CHF), a severe condition where the heart becomes an inefficient pump, leading to inadequate blood circulation.
    CHF can occur due to the failure of either side of the heart. Left-side failure leads to pulmonary congestion—the right side continues to send blood...
    Heart Failure I: Introduction01:27

    Heart Failure I: Introduction

    Heart failure refers to a clinical syndrome caused by structural or functional cardiac disorders that prevent the heart from pumping an adequate amount of blood to meet the body's metabolic needs. This condition often arises from myocardial infarction or ischemia, leading to decreased cardiac output, reduced tissue perfusion, impaired gas exchange, fluid volume imbalance, and decreased functional ability.Heart failure can result from disruptions in the mechanisms that regulate cardiac output...
    Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations01:26

    Heart Failure III: Clinical Manifestations

    Heart failure (HF) manifests primarily as dyspnea, fatigue, and fluid retention, resulting in peripheral and pulmonary edema. Symptoms may vary depending on which ventricle is more affected, left or right.Left-Sided Heart FailureAlso known as left ventricular failure, this condition results from the left ventricle's inability to fill or eject sufficient blood into the systemic circulation. It leads to pulmonary congestion, which occurs when the left ventricle fails to eject blood effectively...
    Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions01:30

    Heart Failure VII: Nursing Interventions

    The first step in nursing management of a patient with heart failure involves thoroughly assessing the patient's medical history.Subjective Data: Obtain the patient's medical history of coronary artery disease, hypertension, myocardial infarction, and symptoms like dyspnea, orthopnea, and paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnea.Objective Data: Conduct a physical examination to identify findings such as jugular vein distention, pulmonary crackles, tachycardia, murmurs, peripheral edema, and vital signs,...
    Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy01:30

    Cardiomyopathy II: Dilated Cardiomyopathy

    Dilated cardiomyopathy, or DCM, is a progressive myocardial disorder characterized by ventricular chamber dilation and contractile dysfunction.EtiologyVarious factors can cause DCM, including hypertension and heavy alcohol intake, which contribute to the weakening and enlargement of the heart muscle. Viral infections, such as Coxsackievirus B, adenoviruses, and influenza, can lead to DCM by causing inflammation and damage to heart tissue. Certain chemotherapeutic agents, including daunorubicin,...