Relação entre faixa etária e alterações cardíacas : um estudo observacional

Abstract

The aging process is variable among individuals in human population, being recognized as one of the main risk factors for the development of chronic diseases. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between age and structural and functional changes of the heart. Methodology: This is a descriptive and cross-sectional study of a sample of adult individuals for convenience (n=96), both sexes, treated at a Cardiology Clinic in Sinop/MT, between August and December, 2019. The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of UFMT (protocol no. 08745418.7.0000.8097). After the general description, individuals were divided into three groups: young adult (25-44 years old), adult (45-59 years old) and elderly (> 60 years old). The echocardiographic variables of morphology and cardiac function, as well as the general characteristics, were compared between the groups (One Way ANOVA for independent groups). The degree of linear correlation was determined by Pearson's correlation coefficient. The confidence level was 95%. Results: The variables body weight, heart rate, systolic blood pressure and height were not different between the three groups. In contrast, the elderly group showed higher BMI values and lower diastolic blood pressure when compared to the young group. Regarding cardiac variables, both adult and elderly groups demonstrated increases in the left atrium and diastolic thickness of the intraventricular septum and posterior LV wall when compared to the young group. In the elderly group, the LV mass, the diameter of the LV and the diastolic thickness of the posterior wall were also elevated. Regarding the diastolic function indicators, the adult and elderly groups showed a reduction in the E/A ratio and an increase in the deceleration time of the E wave in relation to the young group. The E/e' ratio was also high in the elderly group. There was no difference between the groups for the systolic function indicators. The degree of linear correlation demonstrated a significant relationship between age and morphological variables and diastolic function. Conclusion: The adult and elderly age groups were associated with morphological changes in the heart and diastolic LV dysfunction. The changes seem to be related to hypertension and higher body weight associated with age.