Age-related changes in the cardiovascular system and their impact on morphology, hemodynamics, neurohumoral regulation, and response to physical exertion

Although aging of the cardiovascular system is not the primary cause of organismal aging as a whole, it significantly influences its rate and manifestations. These changes reduce the body's ability to adapt and increase the risk of developing diseases. Despite the fact that these changes are regular and progressive in nature, their severity and individual features vary depending on genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. Studying age-related changes in the heart and blood vessels helps to more accurately diagnose, treat, and prevent circulatory system diseases, as well as to distinguish natural age-related transformations from pathological ones. Understanding the processes of myocardial and vascular aging allows not only to predict the likelihood of cardiovascular complications but also to select individualized treatment for elderly people. This article reviews the main age-related changes in the cardiovascular system: structural remodeling of the vascular wall and myocardium, features of central and peripheral hemodynamics, disorders of neurohumoral regulation, as well as the nature of the cardiovascular system's response to physical exertion in elderly and senile individuals.