What I tell medical house staff about old hearts.

House officers tend to view elderly patients with heart disease in the same way they view middle-aged patients. This essay discusses the difference between old hearts and middle-aged hearts. The teaching setting, as well as the common cardiovascular problems seen in the elderly, are described in this essay. In addition, an explanation is given as to why the clinical picture of the same disease is different in elderly patients than in middle-aged patients. (c)2001 CVRR, Inc.