Final answer:
Decrease in cardiac output and circulation are physiological changes associated with aging. Various factors, including neural, endocrine, and autoregulatory mechanisms, as well as lifestyle factors like exercise, affect these changes. Aging can lead to reduced efficiency of the heart to pump blood and circulate it throughout the body.
Step-by-step explanation:
Decrease in cardiac output and circulation are age-related physiological changes. As people age, several changes occur in the cardiovascular system, including the decrease in the capacity of the heart to pump blood effectively—termed reduced cardiac output—and the reduced efficiency of blood circulation through the body. These changes can be multifactorial, including modifications in neural, endocrine, and autoregulatory mechanisms that control blood flow, blood pressure, and blood perfusion to tissues.
Neural control involves the cardiovascular centers in the medulla oblongata and receptors that monitor blood parameters. The endocrine system also plays a role, with hormones like epinephrine, ADH, and others affecting circulation. Additionally, the practice of regular exercise can significantly mitigate these age-related effects by improving cardiovascular function and reducing the risk of diseases such as hypertension.