title: Early vascular aging and the role of central blood pressure.
abstract: Vascular aging is described as a gradual process involving biochemical, enzymatic, and cellular changes of the vasculature and modification of the signals that modulate them. On the basis of this conception a new pathophysiological model for deeper understanding of cardiovascular risk and its treatment was introduced. The idea of early vascular aging, that is the acceleration of vascular aging seems to be a promising tool for clinical guidance in individuals at increased cardiovascular risk or a strong family history of early cardiovascular manifestations. Increased arterial stiffness, dilation of central elastic arteries, impaired endothelial function and vasodilatation are dominant aspects of this premature process.
authors.affiliation: Hypertension Center, 3rd Department of Medicine, Papageorgiou Hospital, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki bPediatric Intensive Care Unit, Hippokration Hospital, Thessaloniki, Greece. vkotsis@auth.gr
authors.forename: Vasilios
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kotsis
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stabouli
authors.forename: Ioannis
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Karafillis
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nilsson
mesh_terms: D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D001011:Aorta / Q000502:physiology; D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000502:physiology*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D012307:Risk Factors; D059289:Vascular Stiffness / Q000502:physiology