With aging, is diastolic dysfunction normal?

Diastolic dysfunction is indeed considered a common consequence of aging. As individuals grow older, the heart's ability to relax and fill with blood during the diastolic phase can diminish, leading to diastolic dysfunction. This physiological change typically occurs due to structural and functional changes in the heart, including increased stiffness of the myocardium and alterations in diastolic pressure.

Research and clinical observations demonstrate that this condition becomes more prevalent with advancing age and can be influenced by other factors such as hypertension, diabetes, and long-term exposure to cardiovascular risk factors. In older adults, particularly those with preserved ejection fraction, this form of dysfunction can often go unrecognized yet still has significant implications for heart function and patient outcomes.

While it is noted that diastolic dysfunction can have varying prevalence based on sex and other demographic factors, acknowledging its normality as part of the aging process is critical for understanding the health status of the elderly population. Treating diastolic dysfunction in older adults often focuses on managing symptoms and associated comorbidities rather than viewing it solely as a pathological condition.