Physiological Changes Due to Age. Implications for Cardiovascular Drug Therapy

Overview

Journal Drugs Aging

Specialties Geriatrics
Pharmacology

Date 1991 Nov 1

PMID 1794033

Citations 2

Authors

I Stolarek

P J Scott

F I CAIRD

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease is the single largest cause of death in the elderly. Many of the published studies concerning the physiology and pharmacology of the aging cardiovascular system are seriously flawed. Problems include failure to measure the drug bioavailability and the selection of subjects with overt or subclinical disease. With exercise, the rise in heart rate is inversely proportional to age and maximum heart rate is reduced. Baroreceptor reflex activity appears to decline with age. Cardiac output is maintained in the elderly, with a slower heart rate and a greater stroke volume than in the young. Plasma noradrenaline (norepinephrine) levels increase in the elderly but there is no change in the sensitivity of the vasoconstrictor alpha 1-adrenoceptor. There is evidence for a decline in the activity of the vasodilator beta 2-adrenoceptor with age. It is difficult to make general rules about the effect of aging on the disposition and elimination of drugs. Each drug must be tested separately.

Citing Articles

Optimal treatment of heart failure in the elderly.

Doughty R, Andersen V, Sharpe N Drugs Aging. 1997; 10(6):435-43.

PMID: 9205849 DOI: 10.2165/00002512-199710060-00004.

Felodipine. A review of the pharmacology and therapeutic use of the extended release formulation in older patients.

Faulds D, Sorkin E Drugs Aging. 1992; 2(5):374-88.

PMID: 1392220 DOI: 10.2165/00002512-199202050-00002.

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