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Figure 7 Aortic and LV Pressure Waves in Young and Old Subjects

Ascending aortic and left ventricular (LV) pressure waves shown schematically in a young subject at left and older subject with LV hypertrophy and diastolic LV dysfunction at right. In the older person, myocardial oxygen demands (vertically hatched area) are increased by the increase in LV and aortic systolic pressure and by the increased duration of systole. Ability for myocardial oxygen supply is reduced by shorter duration of diastole, lower aortic pressure during diastole, and increased LV pressure during diastole caused by LV dysfunction.