Implications of Vascular Aging

Abstract

Chronological age is a well established risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases. The changes that accumulate in the vasculature with age, though, are highly variable. It is now increasingly recognized that indices of vascular health are more reliable than age per se in predicting adverse cardiovascular outcomes. The variation in the accrual of these age-related vascular changes is a function of multiple genetic and environmental factors. In this review, we highlight some of the pathophysiological mechanisms that characterize the vascular aging phenotype. Furthermore, we provide an overview of the key outcome studies that address the value of these vascular health indices in general and discuss potential effects on perioperative cardiovascular outcomes.

The BOLD cerebrovascular reactivity response to progressive hypercapnia in young and elderly

“…Age-related changes within the microvascular structure of the artery wall include a loss in elastic and smooth muscle content (tunica media layer), with a concomitant increase in collagen and fibrous tissue density (tunica media and adventitia layers) as well as thickening and fibrosis of the endothelium, also known as the tunica intima layer (for more information see (Kalaria, 1996;Barodka et al, 2011) and works cited therein). Taken together, these factors integrate to a loss of motility and a stiffening of the vasculature (Hayashi et al, 1980).…”

Effects on Cardiovascular Risk Scores and Vascular Age After Aerobic Exercise and Nutritional Intervention in Sedentary and Overweight/Obese Adults with Primary Hypertension: The EXERDIET-HTA Randomized Trial Study

“…These results could identify biologically plausible mechanisms underlying exercise and diet-induced effects on CVD risk reduction irrespective of sex. Overall, the CVR factors-associated arterial wall thickening, which contributes to vascular stiffening, are sensitive to a non-pharmacological lifestyle intervention [33].…”

Geriatric Trauma

“…[7] Cardiovascular Progressive stiffening of arterial tree with aging leads to systolic hypertension and eventually ventricular hypertrophy. [8] Hypertrophy slows diastolic relaxation. The left ventricle becomes more dependent on the left atrium in order to preserve diastolic filling.…”