As people grow older, their bodies often carry silent diseases. According to research published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, more than 70% of adults over 70 in the United States have at least one type of cardiovascular disease, which claims millions of lives annually. Two Chapman University School of Pharmacy faculty members, Surya Nauli, Ph.D., and Laura Tsu, Pharm.D., are uncovering innovative methods to minimize vascular diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect older adults.

Rather than accepting one-size-fits-all treatments, Nauili and Tsu are developing healthcare policies and therapies for solutions that are unique as the individuals seeking treatment.

“Our goal is to correct the cause of hypertension, not to treat the symptoms,” Nauli said. In his lab, his team of researchers are uncovering why vascular diseases, like hypertension and aneurysms, take such a heavy toll on older adults, and how therapies can be tailored to meet the diverse biological needs that come with aging. The research is rooted in a belief that no two patients age in the exact same way.

While Nauli focuses on the biology, Tsu brings the pharmacist’s perspective to patients’ bedsides. Her research seeks to understand how medications behave differently in older bodies, and why that matters beyond providing some relief to cardiovascular conditions.

From managing high-risk therapies like anticoagulants to preventing life-threatening clots in elderly cancer patients, Tsu’s work prepares pharmacists to optimize medication use while also reducing complications. “Cardiovascular diseases, such as heart disease and stroke, are one of the highest causes of death and disability in older adults compared to general adults,” said Tsu. “It is very important that all healthcare providers are aware of how medications can work differently in older adults.”

Despite the prevalence of cardiovascular issues among older adults, universal treatments do not exist. Nauli notes on a particular disease, “a single-drug therapy alone cannot manage hypertension, but a combination of two drugs produces more effective results.” Chapman’s researchers continue to explore solutions that address the root causes of cardiovascular diseases, paving the way for improved patient outcomes for enhanced health and longevity.