Vascular Stiffness and Increased Pulse Pressure in the Aging Cardiovascular System
Open Access
- 1 January 2011
- journal article
- Published by Hindawi Limited in Cardiology Research and Practice
- Vol. 2011, 1-8
- https://doi.org/10.4061/2011/263585
Abstract
Aging leads to a multitude of changes in the cardiovascular system, including systolic hypertension, increased central vascular stiffness, and increased pulse pressure. In this paper we will review the effects of age-associated increased vascular stiffness on systolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, augmentation index, and cardiac workload. Additionally we will describe pulse wave velocity as a method to measure vascular stiffness and review the impact of increased vascular stiffness as an index of vascular health and as a predictor of adverse cardiovascular outcomes. Furthermore, we will discuss the underlying mechanisms and how these may be modified in order to change the outcomes. A thorough understanding of these concepts is of paramount importance and has therapeutic implications for the increasingly elderly population.Keywords
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