VASCULAR AGING: PATHOPHYSIOLOGICAL MECHANISMS, CLINICAL IMPLICATIONS, AND PREVENTIVE STRATEGIES

Abstract

Vascular aging carries a major function in mortality and morbidity among the elderly due to the increased frequency of cardiovascular events. To develop novel preventive and treatment strategies for early vascular aging, it is crucial to know the pathophysiological changes in the blood vessels during the aging process. In this review, we present the molecular mechanisms of vascular aging, including mitochondrial dysfunction, activation of inflammation, epigenetic alterations, and genomic instability. The importance of various diagnostic methods of vascular aging determination and clinical manifestations are discussed. Finally, current preventive strategies to postpone alterations associated with the aging process in the vasculature by targeting the pathophysiological mechanism of aging are presented.