Normal and abnormal aging of cardiovascular system

: Studies of normal aging in the cardiovascular system in humans are affected by the study population. Besides intrinsic biological aging, extrinsic factors including overt or latent cardiovascular diseases as well as life style variables such as physical activity, diet, alcohol and smoking may influence the age-related changes of cardiovascular function. We have recruited "normal" elderly subjects from community-dwelling volunteers by extensive health screening procedures including treadmill maximum exercise tests. Some of their cardiovascular functions, such as various cardiovascular regulatory functions, were altered compared to normal young subjects, while others such as resting hemodynamics were not. Interrelationships among various autonomic functions in the elderly were not recognized. Although general effects of life styles on circulatory regulatory functions were not clearly indicated, variables such as sodium intake or body mass index appeared to affect some of the sympathetic nervous functions. Furthermore, hypertension in the elderly had much less impact on cardiovascular functions than is generally expected, based on the results from young or middle-aged subjects. To identify factors which either modify (accelerate) or do not affect the aging of the cardiovascular functions is important not only to achieve a good aging process but also to establish therapeutic goals in elderly subjects.