Arterial-cardiac interaction: the concept and implications

Abstract

Vascular stiffening of the large arteries is a common feature of human aging. Increased aortic stiffness with age may contribute to pathological changes in the left ventricle and this can induce ventricular stiffening. Vascular-ventricular stiffening combined with abnormal arterial-cardiac interaction is considered an important pathophysiology of heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction. Here, I briefly review the concept and implications of arterial-cardiac interaction and this will pave the way to understanding and controlling heart failure with a preserved ejection fraction, which is more prevalent in the elderly.