Speculations on Vascular Changes With Age

A bstract Several extracardiac age changes may affect cardiovascular efficiency. Extracellular fluid and blood volume are relatively increased with age. The loss of aortic elasticity results in a rise in systolic pressure when work produces increases in cardiac output. The vascular rigidity further consumes energy by loss of the propulsive effect of elastic recoil. Finally, peripheral resistance increases due to arteriolar constriction; this appears to be under reversible physiologic control. The sum of these normal changes contributes to the functional decrement of aging; it is more universal and more important than atherosclerosis, yet has commanded inadequate attention.