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Figure 1. Molecular mechanisms involved in cardiovascular aging: consequences and potential therapeutics and interventions. Telomere damage, epigenetic changes, and mitochondrial damage are associated with the accumulation of senescent cardiovascular/immune cells, cardiovascular aging, and disease. Diet, smoking, and air pollution can also negatively contribute to aging, while physical exercise may improve cardiovascular health. Potential therapeutics and interventions include targeted elimination of senescent cells (senolytics), modulation of the proinflammatory SASP (senescence-associated secretory phenotype; senostatics), and dietary interventions (caloric restriction).