Cardiovascular Calcifications in Old Age: Mechanisms and Clinical Implications

Abstract

Vascular calcification, a hallmark of aging, is accelerated in patients with hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease. It may be viewed as the result of disturbances of the complex and subtle balance between inhibitors and promoters, acting at both the systemic and local levels. Ethnic differences in certain components of the atherosclerosis process were identified previously; however, recent evidence suggests that atherosclerosis is not a modern disease and may be viewed as an inherent component of human aging, unrelated to any specific diet or lifestyle. In this review, we highlight the mechanisms governing vascular calcification and its association with aging. By understanding the pathways involved in these processes, novel drug targets may be proposed in an effort to reduce the effects of vascular calcification as a risk factor.