Exploring the connection between frailty and cardiovascular diseases

Arch Gerontol Geriatr. 2024 Apr 22:124:105449. doi: 10.1016/j.archger.2024.105449. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

This study explores the significant correlation between frailty and an elevated risk of mortality in COVID-19 patients, suggesting that increased frailty screening could enhance disease management and optimize resource distribution. An analysis of peer-reviewed papers on frailty and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) over a ten-year period reveals a peak of 4480 articles from September 2021 to September 2022. The literature review conducted on frailty and CVD highlights the high prevalence of frailty in older adults with CVD and its role as a predictor of cardiovascular death. The study suggests that frailty can inform treatment decisions, offering more personalized care. However, standardizing frailty assessment in clinical practice and trials is needed. The impact of frailty on coronary artery disease, peripheral artery disease, and atrial fibrillation requires further research. The study also discusses the increasing global burden of CVD among older adults due to aging populations and improved care. It highlights the challenges posed by older age, multiple comorbidities, polypharmacy, frailty, and adverse noncardiovascular outcomes. The review focuses on geriatric conditions that significantly impacted health status, quality of life, and overall prognosis. The study concludes that frailty significantly increases the risk of CVD events and major adverse cardiovascular events in older adults without prior CVD. Screening for frailty could help identify those at higher risk and facilitate targeted preventive measures.

Keywords: Cardiovascular diseases; Frailty; Trends of frailty and cardiovascular diseases.

Publication types

  • Letter