Accelerated Aging and Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Aging is an intricate process with physiological dysregulation across many systems; mechanisms like chronic inflammation and telomere attrition are key to the progressive deterioration of the organism. Although aging is universal, its rate varies widely among individuals, even among those of the same chronological age. Biological age reflects one’s physiological status and is a measure for assessing aging rate and acceleration. There is also organ-specific aging with varying trajectories, with the molecular basis of this heterogeneity apparent across several organ systems, ascribed to complex genetic associations between blood-based epigenetic and organ-specific aging, demonstrating both homogeneity and heterogeneity. Chronic diseases may accelerate aging of the respective biological systems or subsystems and organs, with organ- and/or blood-specific epigenetic clocks determining aging heterogeneity. Aging is universal; its rate varies widely among individuals, even among those of the same chronological age. Biological age reflects an individual’s physiological condition and is a useful measure for estimating aging rate and accelerated aging. Recently, the interest is growing regarding the link of accelerated aging with cardiovascular disease and mortality. Data indicate that persons with accelerated aging are at higher risk of progressing to multimorbidity and death. Elucidating these associations is crucial for informing strategies to prevent cardiovascular disease and premature death. Hopefully, a more specific quantitative assessment of individual aging may more precisely disclose one’s aging and biological status. There is hope that pharmacologic intervention may tard the aging process, and also decrease or eliminate health disparities, which could foster better cardiovascular and general health for all populations.