Diseases of Airflow Obstruction Two common chronic lung diseases found in older adults are characterized by expiratory airflow obstruction on lung function testing: asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In most cases, it is possible to distinguish asthma from…
Introduction Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is the third most common cardiovascular disease and an important cause of morbidity and mortality. Older people account for nearly two thirds of episodes. Between 65 and 69 years of age, annual incidence rates per 1000…
Introduction As the prevalence of atherosclerosis increases with advancing age, it is hardly surprising that specialists in geriatric medicine frequently find vascular disease in their patients. For many, their overall degree of frailty is such that neither detailed investigation nor…
Introduction Definition Syncope is a transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) due to transient global cerebral hypoperfusion and is characterized by rapid onset, short duration, and spontaneous complete recovery. TLOC is a term that encompasses all disorders characterized by self-limited loss…
Ventricular Arrhythmias The prevalence of complex ventricular arrhythmia (VA) in older adult patients without cardiovascular disease detected by 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram (ECG) was 50% in men and women, 31% in men and women, 30% in men and women, 20% in…
Aortic Stenosis Causes and Prevalence Valvular aortic stenosis (AS) in older adults is usually due to stiffening, scarring, and calcification of the aortic valve leaflets. The commissures are not fused, as in rheumatic AS. Calcific deposits in the aortic valve…
Introduction Demographic changes in most Westernized societies have highlighted the increasing number of older and very old (80+ years) adults in the global population, of whom over two thirds will have raised blood pressure (BP) levels. These elevated BP levels…
Introduction Despite a decline in recent decades in overall cardiovascular mortality in developed countries, the overall burden of cardiovascular disease remains substantial. The incidence of coronary artery disease (CAD), acquired valvular heart disease (VHD), and heart failure (HF) increases with…
The most common cause of death in older adults is coronary artery disease (CAD). Coronary atherosclerosis is very common in older adults, with autopsy studies demonstrating a prevalence of at least 70% in persons older than 70 years. The prevalence…
Cardiac failure increases in prevalence and incidence with age. It is a disease of middle and old age, although the underlying causes differ considerably with age. In younger patients with cardiac failure, the cause is frequently coronary artery disease or…