Fig. 1

A simplified model of arterial stiffening and its reversibility. With aging, blood vessel structural changes and endothelial dysfunction can occur. Various factors contribute to arterial stiffening, such as changes in the composition of elastin and collagen fibers, calcification, and inflammation in the arterial wall. It seems there is a critical time zone during the process of arterial stiffening when a PM (Positive Modifier: such as exercise, healthy diet, weight loss, or anti-hypertensive drug) cannot reverse vascular stiffness. Future research is needed to characterize this critical zone