Cardiovascular Aging

Aging is a slow, progressive, and inevitable process that affects multiple organs and tissues, including the cardiovascular system. The most frequent cardiac and vascular alterations that are observed in older adults (especially patients aged ≥80 years) are diastolic and systolic dysfunction, progre...

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Main Authors: Marco Tana, Rachele Piccinini, Livia Moffa, Ettore Porreca, Fernando Tana, Claudio Tana
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IMR Press 2025-07-01
Series:Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RCM/26/7/10.31083/RCM27437
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author Marco Tana
Rachele Piccinini
Livia Moffa
Ettore Porreca
Fernando Tana
Claudio Tana
author_facet Marco Tana
Rachele Piccinini
Livia Moffa
Ettore Porreca
Fernando Tana
Claudio Tana
author_sort Marco Tana
collection DOAJ
description Aging is a slow, progressive, and inevitable process that affects multiple organs and tissues, including the cardiovascular system. The most frequent cardiac and vascular alterations that are observed in older adults (especially patients aged ≥80 years) are diastolic and systolic dysfunction, progressive stiffening of the vascular wall and endothelial impairment usually driven by an excess of extracellular matrix (ECM) and profibrotic substances, reduced levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), or by amyloid and calcium deposits in myocardium and valves (especially in aortic valves). Moreover, deformation of the heart structure and shape, or increased adipose tissue and muscle atrophy, or altered ion homeostasis, chronotropic disability, reduced heart rate, and impaired atrial sinus node (SN) activity are other common findings. Interestingly, aging is often associated with oxidative stress, alterations in the mitochondrial structure and function, and a low-grade proinflammatory state, characterized by high concentrations of cytokines and inflammatory cells, without evidence of infectious pathogens, in a condition known as ‘inflammaging’. Aging is a well-recognized independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and easily leads to high mortality, morbidity, and reduced quality of life. Recently, several efforts have been made to mitigate and delay these alterations, aiming to maintain overall health and longevity. The primary purpose of this review was to provide an accurate description of the underlying mechanisms while also exploring new therapeutic proposals for oxidative stress and inflammaging. Moreover, combining serum biomarkers with appropriate imaging tests can be an effective strategy to stratify and direct the most suitable treatment.
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spelling doaj-art-497bd8524e694e7d82b149c9357a6e7b2025-08-20T03:39:57ZengIMR PressReviews in Cardiovascular Medicine1530-65502025-07-012672743710.31083/RCM27437S1530-6550(25)01901-5Cardiovascular AgingMarco Tana0Rachele Piccinini1Livia Moffa2Ettore Porreca3Fernando Tana4Claudio Tana5Internal Medicine and Cardiovascular Ultrasound Unit, Medical Department, SS. Annunziata Hospital, 66100 Chieti, ItalyOncology Unit, School of Medical Oncology, Polytechnic University of the Marche, 60121 Ancona, ItalyInfectious Diseases Unit, School of Infectious Diseases, G. D’Annunzio University, 66100 Chieti, ItalyInternal Medicine and Cardiovascular Ultrasound Unit, Medical Department, SS. Annunziata Hospital, 66100 Chieti, ItalyAUSL Pescara, 65125 Pescara, ItalyGeriatric Clinic, SS Annunziata Hospital, 66100 Chieti, ItalyAging is a slow, progressive, and inevitable process that affects multiple organs and tissues, including the cardiovascular system. The most frequent cardiac and vascular alterations that are observed in older adults (especially patients aged ≥80 years) are diastolic and systolic dysfunction, progressive stiffening of the vascular wall and endothelial impairment usually driven by an excess of extracellular matrix (ECM) and profibrotic substances, reduced levels of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), or by amyloid and calcium deposits in myocardium and valves (especially in aortic valves). Moreover, deformation of the heart structure and shape, or increased adipose tissue and muscle atrophy, or altered ion homeostasis, chronotropic disability, reduced heart rate, and impaired atrial sinus node (SN) activity are other common findings. Interestingly, aging is often associated with oxidative stress, alterations in the mitochondrial structure and function, and a low-grade proinflammatory state, characterized by high concentrations of cytokines and inflammatory cells, without evidence of infectious pathogens, in a condition known as ‘inflammaging’. Aging is a well-recognized independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease and easily leads to high mortality, morbidity, and reduced quality of life. Recently, several efforts have been made to mitigate and delay these alterations, aiming to maintain overall health and longevity. The primary purpose of this review was to provide an accurate description of the underlying mechanisms while also exploring new therapeutic proposals for oxidative stress and inflammaging. Moreover, combining serum biomarkers with appropriate imaging tests can be an effective strategy to stratify and direct the most suitable treatment.https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RCM/26/7/10.31083/RCM27437cardiovascular agingcardiac amyloidosisheart failureejection fractionoxidative stress
spellingShingle Marco Tana
Rachele Piccinini
Livia Moffa
Ettore Porreca
Fernando Tana
Claudio Tana
Cardiovascular Aging
Reviews in Cardiovascular Medicine
cardiovascular aging
cardiac amyloidosis
heart failure
ejection fraction
oxidative stress
title Cardiovascular Aging
title_full Cardiovascular Aging
title_fullStr Cardiovascular Aging
title_full_unstemmed Cardiovascular Aging
title_short Cardiovascular Aging
title_sort cardiovascular aging
topic cardiovascular aging
cardiac amyloidosis
heart failure
ejection fraction
oxidative stress
url https://www.imrpress.com/journal/RCM/26/7/10.31083/RCM27437
work_keys_str_mv AT marcotana cardiovascularaging
AT rachelepiccinini cardiovascularaging
AT liviamoffa cardiovascularaging
AT ettoreporreca cardiovascularaging
AT fernandotana cardiovascularaging
AT claudiotana cardiovascularaging