[Morphological and functional aspects of the cardiovascular system related to aging: does "aging heart" exist?].

Elderly people are the most rapid growing segment of society, and heart disease is the most common cause of death in this population. The aging process is associated with anatomic and physiologic alterations in the cardiovascular system; consequently, the manifestations of disease in the geriatric population differ from those involving younger patients. To formulate diagnosis of "aging heart" in older patient may be difficult, because of atypical symptoms or of the acceptance of symptoms as manifestations of old age. Aging is, moreover, often associated with a decline in physical activity, which may result in cardiovascular "deconditioning". The treatment strategy is the same as in younger patients, but the higher incidence of adverse effects and complications demands special awareness. In this article we discuss about age-related structural and functional changes that occur in the cardiovascular system, including changes in the heart muscle, valves, conduction system and major arteries.