Age-Related Physiological and Pathological Changes

– Susceptibility to Cardiovascular Disease

Cardiovascular diseases are the biggest killers of old people. These comprise a host of maladies including cardiovascular stroke, heart attacks, ischemia (inadequate blood flow), congestive heart disease and atherosclerosis. So again, while cardiovascular diseases are not properly a causal theory of aging, they are worth discussion here. And it is important to create an effective firewall against these diseases. As for cancers, age-related susceptibility to cardiovascular diseases is attributable to multiple causes which are basic to the other theories of aging already mentioned. For example myocardial cell membranes become remodeled with advanced age possibly due to stress and oxidative damage, and this remodeling impacts negatively on mitochondrial function which is critical for sustaining energy production in cardiac membranes. The age-related remodeling appears to involve an imbalance between omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids in these membranes as well as dysfunctional Ca2+ metabolism. The mechanisms of buildup of arterial plaque are related to over-eating, poor eating, overweight, stress, high blood pressure, conditions such as diabetes, immune fatigue and lack of exercise. Chronic inflammation is at the head of the list, and also implicated are tissue glycation, oxidative stress, declining immune functions, and changes in hormone levels. Insulin resistance is also highly implicated in the creation of heart disease risk as well, of course, in diabetes. A vicious cycle ensues for people who are genetically susceptible to insulin resistance when they eat a high glycemic-index diet and are sedentary. They gain weight and become obese. Insulin resistance worsens with the increase in weight and the result is gaining even more weight making themselves increasingly susceptible to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and other serious conditions.