Ageing and vascular ageing

• Published in: Postgraduate medical journal Vol. 82; no. 968; pp. 357 - 362
• Main Authors: Jani, B, Rajkumar, C
• Format: Journal Article Book Review
• Language: English
• Published: London The Fellowship of Postgraduate Medicine 01-06-2006; BMJ; Oxford University Press; BMJ Group
• Subjects: ACEI; Age; ageing; Ageing Series; Aging; Aging - physiology; angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor; arterial compliance; Arteries - anatomy & histology; Arteries - physiology; Atherosclerosis; augmentation index; Biological and medical sciences; Blood Flow Velocity - physiology; Blood pressure; Blood Pressure - physiology; C reactive protein; cardiovascular; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular Diseases - pathology; Cardiovascular Diseases - physiopathology; Cardiovascular Physiological Phenomena; carotid intimal thickness; CIMI; Circulatory system; Collagen; Compliance; Coronary vessels; CRP; DBP; Diabetes; diastolic blood pressure; Diet; Drugs; Elasticity; elderly; end stage renal failure; ESRF; Exercise - physiology; Forecasting; General aspects; Genotype; Heart; Hormone Replacement Therapy; HRT; Humans; Hypertension; IMT; intimal thickness; left ventricular ejection; LVE; mean arterial pressure; Mechanical properties; Medical sciences; Mortality; Older people; Physiology; Production increases; pulse pressure; pulse wave velocity; PWV; Risk Factors; SAC; SBP; Sex Characteristics; Smoking - adverse effects; Smooth muscle; systemic arterial compliance; systolic blood pressure; vasculature; Medicine; Blood vessel; Ageing
• ISSN: 0032-5473; 1469-0756
• DOI: 10.1136/pgmj.2005.036053

There is an age related decline in various physiological processes. Vascular ageing is associated with changes in the mechanical and the structural properties of the vascular wall, which leads to the loss of arterial elasticity and reduced arterial compliance. Arterial compliance can be measured by different parameters like pulse wave velocity, augmentation index, and systemic arterial compliance. There is evidence that arterial compliance is reduced in disease states such as hypertension, diabetes, and end stage renal failure. Changes in arterial compliance can be present before the clinical manifestation of cardiovascular disease. Pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures have been shown to improve arterial compliance. Arterial compliance may constitute an early cardiovascular risk marker and may be useful in assessing the effects of drugs on the cardiovascular system. Pharmacogenetics and genetics of arterial compliance in the future will improve our knowledge and understanding about vascular ageing.