Early vascular aging, characterized by increased arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function, serves as a promising pathophysiological model for assessing cardiovascular risk.
Vascular aging is described as a gradual process involving biochemical, enzymatic, and cellular changes of the vasculature and modification of the signals that modulate them. On the basis of this conception a new pathophysiological model for deeper understanding of cardiovascular risk and its treatment was introduced. The idea of early vascular aging, that is the acceleration of vascular aging seems to be a promising tool for clinical guidance in individuals at increased cardiovascular risk or a strong family history of early cardiovascular manifestations. Increased arterial stiffness, dilation of central elastic arteries, impaired endothelial function and vasodilatation are dominant aspects of this premature process.
Kotsis et al. (Thu,) conducted a review in Cardiovascular risk and early vascular aging. Early vascular aging and central blood pressure was evaluated. Early vascular aging, characterized by increased arterial stiffness and impaired endothelial function, serves as a promising pathophysiological model for assessing cardiovascular risk.