[Age-related dynamics of the contractile function of the myocardium and its relation to cardiomyocyte size].
An experimental study in rats has demonstrated that age-related decrease in basic contractility parameters of the heart muscle shows correlation with an increase in the volume of cardiomyocytes making up the muscle and a reduction of specific area under these cells' sarcolemma. Functional depression grows with age, so does heart response to changed calcium concentration in bath medium, and positive inotropic effect of high-frequency stimulation and adrenoreactivity are enhanced. Since these effects are mediated by calcium influx into the myocyte, their enhancement can be related to the fact that the capacity of sarcolemmal transport systems responsible for calcium withdrawal from the cells grows weaker with age.
The red herring hypothesis contends that the high health care expenditure in old age is caused by proximity to death rather than calendar age. Dissenters point to longitudinal data and claim that health care expenditure age profiles tend to steepen over time. The present paper tests the steepening claim for Swiss health insurance, covering the time period 1997 to 2006 and 25 cantons. It analyzes the cantonal health care expenditure profile of men and women, taking into account differences in the mortality rates. The study covers seven components of health care, including long-term care. By and large, no evidence is found for relevant steepening effects of age profiles for either total, or the components, of health care expenditure.