Running head: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM 1

How Aging Effects the Cardiovascular System

Jessica Meadows-Lam

James Madison University

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Abstract

Since older adults have a high prevalence of developing cardiovascular disease knowing the

changes the cardiovascular system goes through during the aging process can help nurses to

properly educate the aging population. Educating patients on health promotion and prevention

can prolong the effects of cardiovascular disease and prevent or prolong early disability and

death. This paper recognizes cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death in the United

States, that effects more women than men. The changes the cardiovascular system undergoes

during aging is reviewed as well as what teaching is necessary as well as review of certain

medications to promote heart health, while looking at which medications may have more risk

than benefit. This paper is intended for gerontological nurses and nursing students.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease, cardiovascular, aging, effects on aging

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How Aging Effects the Cardiovascular System

Many elements affect the cardiovascular system, including the aging process. As the

body ages, inadequate self-care can increase the risks associated with the cardiovascular system

(Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 269). Much of today’s aging population has lacked the knowledge of what

measures they should have taken throughout their life to delay or slow cardiovascular disease

(Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 269). Fortunately, with today’s knowledge, through education, teaching,

and proper self-care, prevention of cardiovascular disease for the future aging population is on

the rise (Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 269).

As the body ages the cardiovascular system goes through many changes, those changes

cause the cardiovascular system to slow down, and over time result in disability and even death

(Coll, Roche, Olsen, Volt, Bowen, Kumar, 2020, p. 1098). With aging, the heart losses its

strength and contractibility, resulting in decreased cardiac output and delayed filling and

emptying of the heart (Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 269). The valves in the heart become thick and

sclerotic making it difficult for them to open and close properly resulting in the blood improperly

moving through the heart and out of the heart (Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 269). The vessels that carry

blood throughout the body lose their elasticity making it difficult for blood to be carried to all the

body’s organs and tissue. (Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 269). According to Eliopoulos (2018) “these

changes typically are gradual and become most apparent when the older adult is faced with an

unusual physiological stress, such as heightened activity or an infection” (p. 269). The decline in

the function of the heart and blood vessels that occurs with aging decreases tissue profusion to

the body putting the elderly at risk for cardiovascular disease (Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 269).

Cardiovascular disease is the most common disease in older adults in the United States

and is also the leading cause of death in the United States (Schwartz, Schmader, Hanlon,
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Abernethy, Gray, et al, 2018). Those over 74 years old are at highest risk of developing

cardiovascular disease with a higher prevalence in women than men (Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 272).

Nearly 70% of women over the age of 65 have cardiovascular disease (Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 272).

Women who have early symptoms of cardiovascular disease are less likely than men to seek

medical attention because women’s symptoms are less obvious than men’s (Eliopoulos, 2018, p.

272). Once cardiovascular disease is diagnosed, women tend to have a more advanced case of

cardiovascular disease because of ongoing ignored symptoms (Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 272). It is

important for gerontological nurses to be aware of this and assess women for cardiovascular

disease by asking questions specific to the disease (Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 272). With early

recognition patient education can begin in attempts to delay progression of the disease and death.

The patient who is at risk for cardiovascular disease and those diagnosed with

cardiovascular disease require education and teaching on ways to decrease risks associated with

cardiovascular disease. Knowing what lifestyle modifications can be made will assist the patient

in improving cardiovascular function and potentially prevent or prolong disability and death

(Coll, Roche, Olsen, Volt, Bowen, Kumar, 2020, p. 1102). Educating patients on techniques to

lose weight and achieve ideal body weight along with proper dietary restrictions like lowering

sodium intake and improving LDL cholesterol can assist with improving cardiovascular function

(Coll, Roche, Olsen, Volt, Bowen, Kumar, 2020, p. 1102). Patients may need support and

guidance in smoking cessation and stress management, both of which will also improve

cardiovascular function (Eliopoulos, 2018, p. 271).

The article by Coll, Roche, Olsen, Voit, Bowen, and Kumar (2020) reviews the

challenges faced in prevention and treatment of three specific types of cardiovascular disease, in

those over the age of 75. The types of cardiovascular disease treatment discussed in this article
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involves stroke, coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease. Since there are few studies

on this matter, in those over the age of 75, this articles intension is to be a quick reference, for

clinicians, on proper interventions and prevention. The information provided is direct and

concise on what meds should be used, along with what meds should not be used in the elderly,

who have cardiovascular disease. Based on this study, a keynote to remember is antiplatelet

medications are not recommended for those with stroke, coronary artery disease or peripheral

artery disease, in those over the age of 75. It is to be appreciated that this study recognizes the

lack of studies in the elderly population and carried out a study of useful information to be

utilized in healthcare today. This study offers todays practicing nurse’s current information on

what medications are appropriate or are inappropriate in treating certain diseases of the

cardiovascular system.

The article by Jain and Childers (2019) presents a study on the use of aspirin 81mg as a

primary treatment of cardiovascular disease. After completing the study, the article recommends

clinicians discontinue the use of aspirin because the risk of bleeding outweighs the benefit of

aspirin reducing the risks associated with cardiovascular disease. This study recognizes there are

alternatives to treating cardiovascular disease such as, quitting smoking, lowering weight and/or

the use statins. This article offers useful information for nurses caring for the gerontological

population in today’s world because a lot of patients were told to stop their daily aspirin regimen,

however, they were not told why and do not understand why they are now being told to

discontinue aspirin. For this reason, the study offers valuable information for use in today’s

practice.

The article by Keeney, Fox, Jette and Jette (2019) demonstrates how studies have proven

majority of persons with cardiovascular disease have a functional decline as they age. However,
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this study recognizes the functional decline is different from person to person and evaluates what

factors determine the progression of functional decline. This study investigates persons

individually and sets guidelines for which persons are at risk for a rapid functional decline. These

guidelines can be utilized in today’s practice to determine who is at greatest risk for rapid

functional decline and interventions can be acted upon early, in attempts to slow the decline. The

information provided in this article is pertinent in today’s nursing practice, as much of the

population is aging and those with cardiovascular disease is projected to increase. This article is

direct, easy to follow and provides useful information about improving quality of life and

function in those who are at risk for rapid functional decline.

Mantle (2015) discusses how COQ10 supplementation acts in the cells to prevent

atherosclerosis and lower LDL cholesterol. When COQ10 was used in patients with congestive

heart failure and other cardiac conditions the mortality rate decreased by more than half, likely

because conditions of the heart deplete COQ10 that is ingested from food. Not only did the study

prove a decrease in mortality rates, for those taking COQ10, it also proved better cardiac

condition by echocardiography with no increase in adverse effects. This study offers education

on why taking COQ10 can be beneficial for the elderly population especially those with cardiac

disease. Patients will often ask their nurse if there is any point in taking medications, the

information provided in this article can assist nurses in answering this question and educating

patients how COQ10 is beneficial in improving heart health.

The cardiovascular system suffers with aging, causing many insults to healthy body

tissue. Those over 74 years old are at greatest risk for cardiovascular disease and women are

more at risk than men to be diagnosed with cardiovascular disease. Often women are not

diagnosed until their condition has progressed because their symptoms are usually mild before
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progressing to more sever. Gerontological nurses need to be aware of who is at risk for

cardiovascular disease so health promotion, education and teaching can begin as early as possible

to prevent disability and death. Gerontological nurses need to be aware aspirin has been

suggested for many years as a preventative measure for cardiovascular disease, however studies

now show the risks of aspirin outweigh the benefits and aspirin and special consideration should

be taken by providers prior to prescribing aspirin.

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References

Coll, P., Roche, V., Olsen, J., Voit, J., Bowen, E., Kumar, M. (2020). The prevention of

cardiovascular disease in older adults. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 68(5),

1098-1106. doi: 10.1111/jgs.16353

Eliopoulos, C. (2018). Gerontological Nursing (9th ed.). Philadelphia: Wolters Kluwer.

Jain, M., Childers, C. (2019). Review: In newer CVD primary prevention trials, aspirin vs no

aspirin does not reduce MI and increases major bleeding. American College of

Physicians, 171(10), jc55-jc55. doi:10.7326/ACPJ201911190-055 

Keeney, T., Fox, A., Jette, D., Jette, A. (2019). Functional trajectories of persons with

cardiovascular disease in late life. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(1), 37-

42. doi:10.1111/jgs.15584

Mantle, D. (2015). Coenzyme Q10 to treat and prevent heart disease. British Journal of Cardiac

Nursing, 10(8), 382-387. doi:10.12968/bjca.2015.10.8.382 

Schwartz, J. b., Schmader, K. E., Hanon, J. T., Abernaethy, D., Gray, S. (2018).

Pharmacotherapy in older adults with cardiovascular disease: Report from an America

college of cardiology, American geriatrics society, and national institute on aging

workshop. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 67(2), p. 371-380.

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