Inflammatory response and thrombosis in older individuals.

The available evidence suggests that immunosenescence induces organismal proinflammatory responses. The chronic inflammation seen in advancing age stratifies persons into aging phenotypes. Even with adjustment for confounders, elevated inflammatory cytokines significantly decrease the odds of successful aging. This chronic inflammation seen in advancing age has varied causes, including comorbid illness, adipose tissue mass, diet, socioeconomic status, body mass index, gender, age, and physical activity. Aging can therefore be thought of as an acquired thrombophilia of increasing inflammation, impaired fibrinolytic potential, and a hypercoagulable state, out of proportion to physiological needs. Factors ranging from genetic to environmental contribute to the prothrombotic tendency of aging adults, especially those with concomitant frailty, to experience a decline in health status.

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