Older subjects show no age-related decrease in cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity

Age and Ageing,  July, 1999  by Suzanne L. Dawson,  Thompson G. Robinson,  Jane H. Youde,  Alison Martin,  Martin A. James,  Philip J. Weston,  Ronney B. Panerai,  John F. Potter

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Key points

* Increasing age and systolic blood pressure levels are inversely related to cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity.

* There is little further decline in baroreceptor sensitivity after the fourth decade.

* Age is the dominant factor in decline in cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity in normotensive subjects.

* There are age-associated differences in the relationship between pulse interval and blood pressure change in different frequency bands, which must be considered in the non-invasive calculation of cardiac baroreceptor sensitivity in older people.

Acknowledgement

S.L.D. is funded by a grant from The Stroke Association of the United Kingdom.

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