Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death worldwide. The two major types of cardiovascular diseases, which are infarction and stroke, represent almost 85% of all cardiovascular deaths.

Although these two types of cardiovascular diseases are distinct, they share several common risk factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. In addition to these risk factors, age is another major risk factor that contributes not only to the incidence of cardiovascular diseases but also to their severity.

The Impact of Age on the Risk of Infarction and Stroke

With aging, several factors occur that increase the risk of infarction and stroke. One of these factors is the increased stiffness of the arteries, which is due to the accumulation of plaque and the loss of elasticity in the arterial walls.

This stiffness leads to an increase in blood pressure and can cause damage to the arterial walls.

Another factor that contributes to the risk of infarction and stroke with aging is the aggregation of platelets, which increases the risk of thrombosis.

This aggregation is due to the increased expression of adhesion molecules on platelets and the endothelial cells of the arterial walls. In addition, aging causes a decrease in the fibrinolytic activity, which can exacerbate the thrombotic tendencies.

Hypertension is also a prominent risk factor for infarction and stroke, and its incidence increases with aging. The renin-angiotensin system, which plays a significant role in regulating blood pressure, is activated in hypertensive individuals.

However, this activation can also cause cellular damage in the arterial walls, and its incidence increases with age.

Reducing the Risk of Infarction and Stroke with Age

Several measures can be undertaken to decrease the risk of infarction and stroke despite advancing age. One of the most important aspects is lifestyle changes.

A healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet, regular exercise, and stress management can have a profound impact on reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Smoking cessation should also be emphasized, as it is a significant risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

Control of blood pressure is another critical aspect in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Medications that target blood pressure control have been shown to decrease the incidence of infarction and stroke in hypertensive individuals.

Blood glucose control is also essential in reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease, especially in patients with diabetes. In addition, lipid-lowering agents such as statins can significantly reduce cardiovascular events by managing cholesterol levels in the blood.

Conclusion

Infarction and stroke are significant public health issues worldwide, and their incidence and severity increase with age.

The impact of age on the risk of infarction and stroke is multifactorial, and includes the accumulation of plaque, the increased stiffness of the arteries, the aggregation of platelets, and hypertension. However, lifestyle changes, blood pressure and glucose control, as well as pharmacologic interventions can substantially reduce the risk of infarction and stroke in elderly individuals.