The degree of cardiac dysfunction described for the mouse models of aging used in this study is remarkably varied: naturally aged and Tert-deficient mice share a relatively mild cardiac phenotype (mild eccentric remodeling, slight reduction in contractile function), Hq mice have slightly bigger hearts and a worsening in the response to ischemia/reperfusion injuries and Ercc1-deficient animals develop dilated cardiomyopathy. This evidence concerns the gene TERT and dilated cardiomyopathy.