Cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Aging is associated with substantial changes in cardiovascular structure and function, as well as alterations in other organ systems that significantly impact the incidence, clinical features, response to therapy, and prognosis of virtually all cardiovascular disorders. In addition, the increasing prevalence of geriatric-specific conditions, including multimorbidity, polypharmacy, frailty, and physical and cognitive impairments, greatly increases the complexity of managing older adults with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This chapter summarizes the clinically relevant effects of cardiovascular aging, discusses intersections between geriatric syndromes and CVD in older adults, and reviews diagnosis and management of common cardiovascular disorders afflicting older persons. Although additional research is needed, optimal care of older adults with CVD requires an individualized interprofessional approach that is patient-centered rather than disease-centered, and which incorporates patient preferences and goals of care into the decision-making process.