The mechanisms of vascular aging

Abstract

Vascular senescence is one of the hotspots in current research. With global average life expectancy increasing, delaying or reducing aging and age‐related diseases has become a pressing issue for improving quality of life. Vascular senescence is an independent risk factor for age‐related cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and results in the deterioration of CVD. Nevertheless, the underlying mechanisms of the vascular senescence have not been expressly illustrated. In this review, we attempt to summarize the recent literature in the field and discuss the major mechanisms involved in vascular senescence. We also underline key molecular aspects of aging‐associated vascular dysfunction in the attempt to highlight potential innovative therapeutic targets to delay the onset of age‐related diseases.