Cardiovascular disease prevention in the elderly is influenced largely by lifestyle practices

Older persons can implement lifestyle practices that minimize their risk of death from cardiovascular diseases.

According to a recent article in the American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology, "The life span of human beings is partially influenced by genetic factors, but outcomes of aging are profoundly influenced by lifestyle and other environmental factors. Age-related modifications of the cardiovascular system are preserved by anti-aging lifestyle interventions such as physical activity and caloric restriction."

"Accordingly," wrote P. Abete and colleagues at University of Naples Federico II, "physical activity and low body mass index reduce mortality in older men with cardiovascular diseases. Several mechanisms have been proposed to explain the protective effect of lifestyle interventions against cardiovascular diseases in the elderly, including a reduction of vulnerability (i.e., the age-related reduction of endogenous mechanisms protective against pathologic insults). The age-related reduction of ischemic preconditioning, the most powerful endogenous protective mechanism against myocardial ischemia, is restored by both physical activity and caloric restriction."

The authors concluded, "Thus, older persons can implement lifestyle practices that minimize their risk of death from cardiovascular diseases."

Abete and colleagues published their article in the American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology (Lifestyle and prevention of cardiovascular disease in the elderly: An Italian perspective. Am J Geriatr Cardiol, 2006;15(1):28-34).

For additional information, contact P. Abete, University of Naples Federico II, Cattedra Geriatria, Dipartimento di Medicina Clinica. Scienze Cardiovascolari & Immunologiche, Via S Pansini 5, I-80136 Naples, Italy.

The publisher's contact information for the American Journal of Geriatric Cardiology is: Le Jacq Ltd., 3 Parklands Drive, Darien, CT 06820, USA.

Keywords: Naples, Italy, Angiology, Anti-aging, Caloric Restriction, Cardiology, Cardiovascular, Cardiovascular Disease, Genetics, Geriatric, Geriatrics, Ischemia, Life-style Changes, Myocardial Ischemia, Vascular Disease. This article was prepared by Biotech Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2006, Biotech Week via NewsRx.com.