Some changes in the heart and blood vessels normally occur with age. However, many other changes that are common with aging are due to or worsened by modifiable factors. If not treated, these can lead to heart disease. BACKGROUND The heart has two sides. The right side pumps blood to the lungs to receive oxygen and get rid of carbon dioxide. The left side pumps oxygen-rich blood to the body. Blood flows out of the heart, first through the aorta, then through arteries, which branch out and get smaller and smaller as they go into the tissues. In the tissues, they become tiny capillaries. Capillaries are where the blood gives up oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and receives carbon dioxide and wastes back from the tissues. Then, the vessels begin to collect together into larger and larger veins, which return blood to the heart. AGING CHANGES Heart:
Blood vessels:
Blood:
EFFECT OF CHANGES Normally, the heart continues to pump enough blood to supply all parts of the body. However, an older heart may not be able to pump blood as well when you make it work harder. Some of the things that make your heart work harder are:
COMMON PROBLEMS
Other problems with the heart and blood vessels include the following:
PREVENTION
Get more exercise:
Have regular check-ups for your heart:
Heart disease - aging; Atherosclerosis - aging Forman DE, Fleg JL, Wenger NK. Cardiovascular disease in the elderly. In: Zipes DP, Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Tomaselli GF, Braunwald E, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2019:chap 88. Howlett SE. Effects of aging on the cardiovascular system. In: Fillit HM, Rockwood K, Young J, eds. Brocklehurst's Textbook of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier, 2017:chap 16. Seki A, Fishbein MC. Age-related cardiovascular changes and diseases. In: Buja LM, Butany J, eds. Cardiovascular Pathology. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 2. Walston JD. Common clinical sequelae of aging. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 26th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 22. Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. Which physiological changes in the cardiovascular system are related to the aging process?The most common aging change is increased stiffness of the large arteries, called arteriosclerosis (ahr-teer-ee-o-skluh-roh-sis), or hardening of the arteries. This causes high blood pressure, or hypertension, which becomes more common as we age.
What are some physiological changes that occur with aging quizlet?Increased rate of brain cell loss. Decreased level of neurotransmitter production. Decreased acuity of the auditory, vestibular, and visual systems. Vision, hearing, taste, smell, and touch all decline.
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