Old Age - Cardiovascular Diseases We are as old as our arteries, is an old saying. The modern version of the above quotation could perhaps be rephrased to read, We are as old as our coronary and cerebral arteries.
* Heart Disease: This is the main cause of death accounting for geriatric death. It accounts for approximately over one-third of deaths in the elderly, mainly from coronary disease, stroke and congestive heart failure, the basic process being that of atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries that provide pure oxygenated blood to the heart, the brain, the kidneys, the viscera and the limbs. Though we do see some patients with congenital heart diseases such as aortic stenosis and atrial septal defect, and rare cases of rheumatic valvular lesions in those age above 60, yet the familiar cardiovascular problems seen in the elderly are due to: 1. Coronary heart disease <http://chd-chronic-heart-disease.blogspot.com/>(heart attacks and angina) 2. Hypertension<http://www.medicinenet.com/high_blood_pressure/article.htm#toc1bp> 3. Stroke <http://www.medicinenet.com/stroke/article.htm> 4. Arrhythmias <http://www.clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/cardiology/cardiac-arrhythmias/>requiring pacemakers or drug treatment 5. Congestive heart failure<http://www.medicinenet.com/congestive_heart_failure/article.htm> 6. Varicose veins <http://www.skinsight.com/adult/varicosities.htm> 7. Painful claudication of legs due to atherosclerotic narrowing of arteries<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2306836>, thereby hampering blood supply specially when more blood is required, such as during walking. 8. Weakening of the walls of large arteries and aorta also results in sac-like widening of these blood vessels, the disorder called 'aneurysms<http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/aneurysms.html>' and rupture of one of these may result in loss of consciousness, paralytic stroke and even sudden death. A further type of heart disease seen in link with chronic lung disease in the elderly is the condition of chronic cor pulmonale<http://www.squidoo.com/%22http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/458659%22%22>, a condition of right heart failure (leg oedema, liver congestion, Cyanosis and congested prominent neck veins), as result of chronic bronchitis, smoking, or after lengthy exposure to domestic of industrial smoke and fumes.* [image: dividers Pictures, Images and Photos] Special Features for Cardiac Care in the Old Age. [image: Senior man- Heart Care] <http://www.dreamstime.com/Asbestos_info> * <http://www.dreamstime.com/res1453350> * . *1. The older persons often tend to put down their symptoms, so they should be given a very patient hearing and due importance given to even petty complaints like, "not feeling too bright today", and "profuse undue sweating" could be a indicator of silent heart attack as painless heart attacks are more ordinary in the older people, especially among the diabetics, 2. Environmental influences such as sudden changes in temperature, severe cold or heat have a strong deadly effect on the cardiovascular function in the older people, so the senior citizens have to be safeguarded against such exposures in order to avert frequent occurrence of aggravation of angina, heart attack, tachyarrhythmias<http://www.txai.org/edu/irregular/ventricular_tachyarrhythmias.htm>(rapid and at times irregular beating of heart) and congestive heart failure. 3. Disease, disability or death of the spouse or a close friend habitually result in serious disturbances and imbalance in the psychological behaviour of the elderly and this in turn worsens or initiates serious cardiac malfunction in the elderly. Demise within a few months of the demise of the spouse is not uncommon in the elderly.* -- * * *What is the worst of woes that wait on age? What stamps the wrinkle deeper on the brow? To view each loved one blotted from life's page, And be alone on earth, as I am now. --LORD BYRON* * * *வாழிய செந்தமிழ்! வாழ்க நற்றமிழர்! **வாழிய பாரதமணித் திருநாடு!*
