The Role of Biological Age in Cardiovascular Disease

Age is an important prognostic factor in both primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. The progress in molecular biology resulted in the introduction of the notion of biological age which facilitates the objective estimation of the organism’s regenerative potential. The purpose of this paper is to review the effects of several aspects of biological age on the development and progression of coronary heart disease. The term biological age is defined and its markers are characterised. The influence of risk factors for coronary heart disease and heart failure on biological age is also discussed. Special emphasis is placed on the clinical aspects of cellular senescence in car- diovascular system.