MODULE SUPPLEMENT: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
Can These Changes Be Modified?

This is an area of some debate and on-going research and some of these changes are more modifiable than others.

First, it is necessary to differentiate between Arteriosclerosis and Atherosclerosis, even though these two processes overlap.

Arteriosclerosis refers to the changes that occur in the overall vascular system; hardening and stiffness. Atherosclerosis refers to the process that occurs secondary to the deposition of a plaque or atheroma, although it contributes to the arteriosclerotic process.

Changes in the actual vessel wall that are not related to plaque deposition happen to most older adults and might be considered a fairly normal age related change; however, there are some populations that seem not to experience as much stiffening as the rest of us. Why might this be true?

Two areas are of great interest--sodium and activity.