Sarcopenia
Pronunciation: sar-koh-PEE-nee-ah
Progressive loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength associated with aging, impacting cardiovascular outcomes in elderly patients.
Full Definition
Sarcopenia is a syndrome characterized by progressive and generalized loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength that occurs with aging. In geriatric cardiology, sarcopenia is increasingly recognized as an important predictor of cardiovascular outcomes, functional decline, and mortality. The condition affects exercise tolerance, response to cardiac rehabilitation, and recovery from cardiovascular procedures. Sarcopenia often coexists with heart failure and may contribute to the cardiac cachexia syndrome in advanced stages.
Usage
Usage note: Distinguish from cachexia, which involves both muscle and fat loss; specify assessment method used.
In Context
- "The patient's sarcopenia was identified as a contributing factor to poor exercise tolerance." — Cardiac rehabilitation assessment
- "Sarcopenia screening revealed significant muscle mass loss despite stable cardiac function." — Geriatric cardiology evaluation