Arrhythmias and Valvular Heart Disease in Elderly and Senile People

Abstract

Heart rhythm disorders and valvular heart disease occupy one of the leading places in the structure of cardiovascular morbidity among elderly and senile individuals. Involutive processes developing in the myocardium and the cardiac conduction system, combined with the superimposition of age-related changes onto the consequences of past diseases (rheumatism, coronary artery disease, hypertension), create a complex pathomorphological and pathophysiological background. This significantly modifies the etiology, clinical presentation, and course of arrhythmias and valvular heart defects in geriatric patients. The diagnosis of these conditions is often difficult due to the blunting of symptoms, the nonspecific nature of complaints, and the similarity of manifestations to the “age norm,” leading to underdiagnosis. Treatment requires a reconsideration of traditional approaches due to altered pharmacokinetics, a high risk of polypharmacy, and adverse effects. In this regard, an in-depth study of the etiology, clinical features, diagnosis, and treatment principles of arrhythmias and valvular lesions in elderly and senile people is a critically important task of modern geriatric cardiology.