Age Related Changes That Occur in the Cardiovascular System

Age link Changes that come about in the Cardiovascular System Age Related Changes that Occur in the Cardiovascular System In the normal conduction of the spirit the electrical impulsion starts in the SA node, overly called the pacemaker of the tenderness. The electrical impulse travels through the right atrium and through the Bachmanns bundle into the left atrium. This stimulates the atria to contract. future(a) the signal travel to the AV node. The AV node slightly chequers the signal. This delay is needed for the cheek to beat properly.The Cardiovascular SystemWithout this delay the atria and ventricles would beat at the same time. The electrical signal then travels to the flock of His where it is split into the signals passing game to the right and left ventricle. The signal travels through the left and the right Bundle Branch to contract the ventricles. As the body ages there are changes in the cardiovascular system. Some of these changes include major changes in pu rport rate, daub vessels become more stiff and thicker, midpoint valves become thicker and more stiff, the SA node loses cells and developes fibrous tissue.One major change is the decrease in the elasticity of the aorta and broad arteries. The normal aorta allows for normal expansion during systole. Left ventricular ejection creates a embrace wave which travels the length of the aorta to the periphery. The pulse generated at a skirting(prenominal) vessel is the result of this pressure wave and is not a consideration of parenthood flow. The focal ratio of the pressure wave is termed the pulse wave velocity. Age-related aortal stiffening causes an increase in the pulse wave velocity.The wave velocity in the elderly results in an elevation in the systolic line of merchandise pressure. The pulse wave is faster resulting in the reflected wave reaching the ascend aorta in the late systole rather than early diastole. Coronary artery ailment also called CAD is the leading cause of death in twain men and women. CAD is the leading type of emotional state disease in the United States. CAD is the hardening and build up of plaque intimate the arteries that tote up the heart with blood. The main part of plaque is cholesterol followed by other minerals.This type of build up is called atherosclerosis. As this grows it occludes the arteries which in unit of ammunition decreases the amount of oxygen reaching the heart. This preempt lear to chest pain and heart attacks. The risk of CAD increases with age. 37% of people in the age grasp of 65-74 years old and 48% of those over the age of 75 (REF 1) describe having this type of illness. In the 75 years and over, more than one ordinal of men and approximately one quarter of women are currently maintenance with coronary artery disease. Hypertension is more common in the 60 and over range.Hypertension is define as a blood pressure of one hundred forty/90 or greater. Hypertension is related to the loss of elastic ity in the aorta. Blood pressure mainly systolic pressure rises with age. In a community based study 90% of midlife adults with normal blood pressure developed hypertension in late life. (Ref 2) Arrhythmia is an abnormal heart beat. Its more common in the aging adult. Arrhythmias occur when the electrical signals on the heart are not working correctly and do the heart beat in irregular rhythm. Many different things can lead to arrhythmias.Cardiac arrhythmias can be caused by a heart attack, scarring from previous heart attack, blocked arteries (CAD), hypertension, changes to your hearts structure, such as from cardiomyopathy. Most common arrhythmias in the elderly are tachycardia and bradycardia. Tachycardia is a heart rate greater than ascorbic acid beats per minute and bradycardia is less than 60 beats per minute. Tachycardia is most usually caused by age-related deterioration of the heart or an underlying medical condition. It is a disruption of the normal electrical signal. B radycardia is caused by changes to the heart related to aging.It is also a disruption of the normal electrical signal. Congestive heart distress (CHF) is a condition caused by the weakening of the heart and the cardiovascular system. It develops when the heart is not able to pump enough blood. Some causes of CHF would include, narrowed arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle coronary artery disease, past heart attack, or myocardial infarction, with scar tissue that interferes with the heart muscles normal work, high blood pressure, heart valve disease, primary disease of the heart muscle itself, called cardiomyopathy. spicy blood pressure is the leading cause of CHF in the elderly. High blood bressure put high demands on the heart to pump blood. This extend demand weakens the heart muscle over time. The heart doesnt pump as efficiently as it should, the blood slows down and less blood is pumped. The blood returning to the heart backs up in the veins forcing fluid from the blood vessels into tissues of the feet and legs. The stumblebum that results is call edema. Bibliography Medline Plus, maturation changes in the heart and blood vessels, Retrieved April 1, 2013 From http//www. nlm. nih. gov/medlineplus/ency/ obligate/004006. htmJenkins, Kemnitz, Tortora (2010) Anatomy and Physiology From Science to Life Danvers, MA John Wiley and Sons Inc Pat Joiner-Myers, Mosbys Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing and Health Professions 8th Edition Medscape, Cardiovascular Physiology- Changes With Aging , Retrieved April 1, 2013 From http//www. medscape. com/viewarticle/450564_2 References 1. Office for National Statistics General Lifestyle Survey (2007) www. statistics. gov. uk/statbase/product. asp? vlnk=5756 2. Vasan RS, Beiser A, Seshadri S et al. Residual lifetime risk for developing hypertension in middle-aged women and men. JAMA 287, 10031010 (2002).