[Aging--risk factor for arteriosclerosis].

The changes of the arteries appearing diffusely caused by ageing as a rule favour the development of the focal arteriosclerotic changes. Already due to the increasing blood lipid level the ageing vessel is exposed to increased loads. It is more difficult for it to cope with them, since caused by ageing the cell functions of endothelium, intima and adjacent media decrease, whereas the diffundibility increases. The alterations of the mucopolysaccharide spectre in old age also render difficult the maintenance of the integrity of the arterial wall. The decrease of the distensibility of the arterial wall, partly consequence of increasing cross-linking, partly expression of senile fibrosis, is partially compensated by dilatation of the vascular tube. When arteriosclerotic beds supervene on account of solidification caused by old age additional difficulties appear. On principle the genuine changes caused by old age smooth the way for the development of arteriosclerotic changes.