Effect of Age on Circulatory Response to Postural and Valsalva Tests

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Abstract
A study was made of the hemodynamic responses of 3 groups of normal male subjects (19-26, 40-49 and 47-56 yr) to a 70.degree. head-up tilt and to the valsalva maneuver. Compared to the youngest group the 2 older groups showed a marked diminution in heart rate, diastolic pressure, mean arterial pressure responses to head-up tilt and lesser heart rate changes in the different phases of the valsalva tests. There was very little intertest correlation between the circulatory responses to the 2 stresses. These alterations in response with advancing age may be related to altered baroceptor sensitivity or to diminished blood pressure changes associated with decreased venous compliance or increased central blood volume. Apparently consideration must be given to the age effect when assessing circulatory responses to the tilt and valsalva in the human.