Disorders of the cardiovascular system (I)

Abstract

Heart disease in the elderly is one of the commonest problems that will be encountered in general practice. The mortality rate from heart disease rises with age and accounts for more than a third of deaths over the age of 65 years in the Western world. The morbidity rate from heart disease in the elderly is impossible to quantify, but as the incidence of cardiac abnormalities in the 65–74 year age group may be as high as 50% and in the over 75-year-olds around 60%, it is likely that a significant number of these people will suffer some limitation of their activities or at least symptoms of dyspnoea, angina or oedema of the legs. The major diseases of ageing in the heart are myocardial infarction, angina, rhythm and conduction abnormalities and to a lesser extent valvular disease. Heart disease in itself is not only likely to contribute to morbidity in the elderly but is also a significant factor in limiting the rehabilitation of patients with other problems, such as after strokes and fractured femurs.