Cardiovascular aging and heart failure

The aging process is a major factor that contributes to changes seen in the cardiovascular system in older people. Stiffening of the arterial tree alters afterload and left ventricular geometry and although resting left ventricular systolic function is maintained, left ventricular diastolic function changes substantially. Cardiovascular function in older people during exercise is also significantly altered but can be modified by exercise training in older adults or genetic modification in animals. Age-related changes in cardiovascular structure and function also lower the threshold at which cardiac diseases become apparent. This review describes the changes in cardiovascular structure and function at rest and during exercise in older people and highlights their consequences. (C) 2003 European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.