Envejecimiento y enfermedades cardiovasculares

Abstract

Aging is characterized by the decline of the physiological functions of the organism through a series of genetic, molecular, biochemical, histological and organic changes modulated by the influence of the environment and social, educational and economic conditions. The most important underlying process is a chronic, low-grade inflammation. The changes lead to a reduction in the functional reserve of the different organs and systems and show some geriatric syndromes that are symptoms without an underlying disease. Its progression leads to a situation of fragility with lack of response to external stress, which leads to weakness and dependence situations. Chronic aged related diseases, including cardiovascular diseases (CVD), such as hypertension, ischemic heart disease, degenerative valvular disease, cardiomyopathies and rhythm disorders, have the same mechanisms as aging. These diseases and geriatric syndromes lead to early aging, which makes it difficult to reach the estimated average age of normal aging. Some people reach a successful aging when they overcome the tenth decade in a good psycho physical state. Certain preventive measures delay the appearance of aging related CVD. The treatment with statins corrects the dyslipidemia which reduces and delays the presence of arteriosclerosis complications. Some patients who reach very low levels of LDL-Cholesterol continue presenting acute CV processes, which have been corrected by reducing the presence of residual inflammatory state. The preventive use of aspirin has been shown effective in secondary prevention in patients with some previous CVD. At present there is no evidence that in individuals without previous CV disease, aspirin reduces mortality or CV complications. In diabetic patients without previous CV pathology, it reduces CV complications, but in the same degree it increases hemorrhagic complications, so its use is controversial. Five characteristics of lifestyle are associated with greater longevity: never having smoked, a proper diet, a moderate consumption of alcohol, maintaining an adequate weight and practice exercise regularly