Cardiovascular disease and the biology of aging.

The incidence and prevalence of a wide range of cardiovascular diseases increases as a function of age. This well-established epidemiological relationship suggests that chronological aging might contribute or increase susceptibility to varied conditions such as atherosclerosis, vascular stiffening or heart failure. Here, we explore the mechanistic links that connect both rare and common cardiovascular conditions to the basic biology of aging. These links provide a rational basis to begin to develop a new set of therapeutics targeting the fundamental mechanisms underlying the aging process and suggest that in the near future, age itself might become a modifiable cardiovascular risk factor.