The impact of cardiovascular senescence on the clinical presentation of angina pectoris

Abstract

Background. Senescence is an inevitable and irreversible process that induces changes in all body systems as a Results. of progressive structural and functional degeneration. Changes in the cardiovascular system mask the classic symptoms of angina pectoris, making it difficult to establish a diagnosis in the early stages. Objective(s). Analysis of scientific data on the impact of cardiovascular senescence on the clinical picture of angina pectoris, aimed at establishing an early diagnosis and reducing complications. Materials and methods. Articles and medical publications published between 2015 and 2025, containing data on the impact of cardiovascular senescence on the clinical picture of angina pectoris, were analyzed using sources such as Scopus, PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Medical Scientific Library of the "Nicolae Testemițanu" University of Medicine and Pharmacy. Results. Degenerative cardiovascular processes such as vascular stiffness, reduced arterial compliance, decreased coronary perfusion, diastolic and systolic dysfunction, myocardial thickening and fibrosis, increase the risk of ischemia and atherosclerosis. Additionally, reduced sensitivity of α-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors leads to a diminished autonomic response. As a result, atypical symptoms may occur, such as diffuse chest or epigastric discomfort without retrosternal pain or typical anginal radiation, exertional dyspnea, marked fatigue, nausea, dizziness or syncope, often mistaken for other chronic conditions in the elderly. Conclusion(s). The analysis conducted confirms the major impact of senescence on the classic clinical picture of angina pectoris, with the emergence of atypical forms that require differential diagnosis to establish a timely diagnosis and reduce the risk of severe complications in the elderly.