I. The Size of the Problem
II. Effects of Aging on the Heart and Vascular System
III. Cardiovascular Therapy in the Elderly
IV. Research Implications
GLOSSARY
coronary heart disease obstruction of the coronary arteries with
symptoms such as chest pain, angina, or heart attacks. coronary thrombosis obstruction of a coronary artery by blood
clot. heart failure a failure of the heart to pump sufficient blood
from the chambers into the aorta; inadequate supply of
blood reaches organs and tissues. hypertension high blood pressure. hypertrophy increase in thickness of muscle. myocardial infarction death of an area of heart muscle due to
blockage of a coronary artery by blood clot and atheroma;
medical term for a heart attack or coronary thrombosis. myocardium the heart muscle.

• I. THE SIZE OF THE PROBLEM
  In the year 2000 there were approximately 35 million people in the United States who were 70 years and older. In the year 2030, the number will be approximately 70 million. The world population of the elderly is approxi¬mately 610 million and will grow to approximately 2 billion by 2050. There is an epidemic of heart failure in this aging population. In the United States, heart failure is the most common diagnostic related group in the population over 65. Coronary heart disease and stroke are very common. More than 60% of these individuals have hypertension, which is an important underlying cause of heart failure. Atrial fibrillation, a serious abnormal heart rhythm, is common in the age group 70 to 85; this condition requires treatment with a blood thinner, warfarin, to prevent strokes. The main underlying cause for atrial fibrillation is hypertension.
• II. EFFECTS OF AGING ON THE HEART AND VASCULAR SYSTEM
  A. Gross Anatomy
• III. CARDIOVASCULAR THERAPY IN THE ELDERLY
  A. Thrombolytic Therapy
• IV. RESEARCH IMPLICATIONS
  The following is a list of research implications.
• BIBLIOGRAPHY
  Boer, M., Ottervanger, J., and Arnoud, W. Reperfusion therapy in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction. J. Am. Coll. Cardiol., 59:1723–8, 2002.