Isn’t cardiac disease an inevitable part of the aging process?
Dr. Mauser: No, it doesn’t have to be part of the aging process, but in this country it’s becoming that way. Certainly, with each passing decade you lose a fraction of your exercise capacity; however, you can be athletic into your seventies and eighties. When people become easily fatigued, they should not simply dismiss it as “getting older.” A change in stamina may indicate a change in your cardiovascular function – and you should have it evaluated by a physician. Our goal is to find and treat people with cardiovascular disease before they have a catastrophic event.
