Aging: Physiologic changes

All organ systems undergo physiologic changes with aging. From a cardiovascular standpoint, elderly patients have prolonged myocardial contraction and relaxation times (diastolic dysfunction), decreased arterial elasticity and compliance (increased SVR and PVR), decreased maximal heart rate, and decreased alpha1 and beta-adrenergic responsiveness (reduced chronotropic, inotropic, and baroreflex responsiveness) due to changes in autonomic function. [More…]