Age Related Changes to Cardiovascular System

Decrease in total body water with age

Decrease in blood volume, increased blood viscosity, sluggish blood flow = more work for the heart

Cellular changes in blood

Due to rbcs becoming more rigid and less deformable = stiffer membranes, more resistance in microcirculation, impaired oxygen delivery to tissues

Decrease in hemotocrite concentration

Drops to less than 34 percent, accompanied by decrease in haemoglobin

Anaemia

Lack of health red blood cells to carry adequate oxygen to body cells = decreased oxygen delivery, increased morbidity/mortality

Prevalence in elder for

Iron deficiency, chronic kidney disease, endocrinopathies, vitamin b12 and folate deficiency

Blood clotting in eldery

Can sometimes form in the veins without a reason and don’t dissolve naturally, early activation of coagulation system = more fibrogen and hypercoagulation, heart rhythm problems, obesity, prolonged sitting/bed rest

Arteries become less elastic

Due to decreased production of elastin protein by fibroblasts, pressure changes can cause aneurysm

Increased calcium deposits on vessel wall

Atherscierosis, increased risk of stroke or infarction

Decrease of venous returns

Due to venous valve deterioration, lack of movement, dehydration

Changes in heart structure and function

Reduced max co in response to exercise and stress, cardiomegaly increases = thickening of left ventricle wall, decrease of contractility = cardiac cells less efficient to contract

Changes in conductivity due to

Reduce in number of pacemaker cells, increase in fatty/fibrous tissue infiltration at sa node, increase of scar tissue leading to reduction of heart conduction = heart block = slower hr

Coronary artery blood flow decreases

Reduction of oxygen delivery to heart muscle = myocardial hypoxia = myocardial infarction

Heart valve changes

Calcification, increased thickness, decreased flexibility, incomplete valve closures = higher risks for heart failure or heart attack