AGING AND THE HEART
The heart
muscle becomes less efficient with age, and there is a decrease in both maximum
cardiac output and heart rate, although resting levels may be more than
adequate. The health of the myocardium depends on its blood supply, and with
age there is greater likelihood that atherosclerosis will narrow the coronary
arteries. Atherosclerosis is the deposition of cholesterol on and in the walls
of the arteries, which decreases blood flow and forms rough surfaces that may
cause intravascular clot formation.
High blood
pressure (hypertension) causes the left ventricle to work harder; it may
enlarge and outgrow its blood supply, thus becoming weaker. A weak ven-tricle
is not an efficient pump, and such weakness may progress to congestive heart
failure; such a progres- sion may be slow, or may be rapid. The heart valves
may become thickened by fibrosis, leading to heart murmurs and less efficient
pumping. Arrhythmias are also more common with age, as the cells of the
con-duction pathway become less efficient.
Related Topics
Privacy Policy, Terms and Conditions, DMCA Policy and Compliant
Copyright © 2018-2023 BrainKart.com; All Rights Reserved. Developed by Therithal info, Chennai.