Age-Related Changes in the Heart Include ________

Question

Age-related changes in the heart include ________.
A) increased maximum cardiac output
B) reduction in the elasticity of the fibrous skeleton
C) increased size of coronary vessels
D) decreased pressures in the great vessels
E) absence of scar tissue in cardiac muscle

Accepted Answer

As a person gets older, the fibrous skeleton that supports the heart can become less flexible, which can lead to issues such as reduced ability to pump blood effectively, heart valve problems, and an increased risk of heart failure. Age-related changes may also include smaller coronary vessels, increased pressures in the great vessels, and the development of scar tissue in cardiac muscle. However, maximum cardiac output tends to decrease as a person ages, rather than increase.