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age-associated changes in the autonomic nervous system
The autonomic nervous system undergoes change with aging
Physiology:
1) with physical or emotional stress, greater & more prolonged activation of the
a) sympathetic nervous system
- greater & prolonged increase in plasma norepinephrine
b) hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis
- greater & prolonged increase in plasma cortisol
2) higher resting heart rate & lower heart rate variability result from age-associated changes in autonomic function
- common in the elderly
- associated with functional decline [2]
3) age-associated changes in baroreceptor sensitivity [3]
Related
autonomic nervous system
General
age-related physiological changes
References
- Geriatric Review Syllabus, 7th edition
Parada JT et al (eds)
American Geriatrics Society, 2010
- Ogliari G, Mahinrad A, Stott DJ et al
Resting heart rate, heart rate variability and functional
decline in old age.
CMAJ. Aug 31, 2015
PMID: 26323697
http://www.cmaj.ca/content/early/2015/08/31/cmaj.150462.full.pdf+html
- Gupta V, Lipsitz LA.
Orthostatic hypotension in the elderly: diagnosis and treatment.
Am J Med. 2007 Oct;120(10):841-7
PMID: 17904451 Review.