Systolic heart failure in the elderly: optimizing medical management

The aging population with hypertension and coronary artery disease is rapidly increasing worldwide and develops heart failure (HF). A wide range of pharmacotherapeutic drugs are recommended in the HF management guidelines. For the most part, these recommendations are based on the results of studies in the younger population, and most drugs were not adequately tested in the elderly. However, many changes that occur during the aging process affect the response to several of the recommended therapeutic drugs. Physicians will be increasingly involved in managing the expanding elderly population with HF. It is therefore imperative that they recognize ways to use current pharmacotherapeutic agents and the increasing need for novel agents for optimizing the management of the elderly patient with HF.     

Effect of nutritional interventions and resistance exercise on aging muscle mass and strength

Sarcopenia, defined as the age-related loss of muscle mass, has a negative effect on strength, functional independence and overall quality of life. Sarcopenia is a multifactorial phenomenon characterized by changes in muscle morphology, protein and hormonal kinetics, oxidative stress, inflammation, physical activity and nutrition. It is well known that resistance exercise increases aging muscle mass and strength and these physiological adaptations from exercise may be further enhanced with certain nutritional interventions. Research indicates that essential amino acids and milk-based proteins, creatine monohydrate, essential fatty acids, and vitamin D may all have beneficial effects on aging muscle biology.