Treatment of dyslipidemia in the elderly

• Published in: Journal of geriatric cardiology : JGC Vol. 8; no. 1; pp. 55 - 64
• Main Authors: Shao, Hong, Chen, Li-Quan, Xu, Jun
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China Qingdao Municipal Hospital,1JiaoZhou Road, Qingdao 510630, China%Department of Biochemistry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas, Dallas, TX 75390-9038, USA 01.03.2011; Science Press
• Subjects: Review; 中老年人; 临床医生; 他汀类药物; 动脉粥样硬化; 心血管疾病; 药物治疗; 血脂异常; 风险因素; atherosclerosis; dyslipidemia; statins
• ISSN: 1671-5411
• DOI: 10.3724/SP.J.1263.2011.00055

Dyshpidemia is a well-established risk factor for atherosclerosis. Treating dyslipidemia in elderly patients requires specific knowledge and understanding of common dyslipidemias and the relative safety of various pharmacologic agents in the presence of possible multiple comorbidities. Lifestyle modification remains the first step in the treatment of dyslipidemia; however, it can be difficult to sustain and achieve acceptable compliance in the elderly and it is best used in combination with drug therapy. Statins are widely accepted as the first-line therapy. Several recent studies have demonstrated that statins are safe and effective in the elderly. However, it is important to note that there is very limited data regarding the effects of dyslipidemia treatment on morbidity and mortality in patients over 85 years of age. In summary, the clinicians must recognize that the presence of dyslipidemia in the elderly poses substantial risk of coronary events and stroke. The available evidence has demonstrated that in most elderly patients who are at increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, treatment of dyslipidemia with appropriate therapy reduces the risk, and when used carefully with close monitoring for safety, the treatment is generally well tolerated. With increasing life expectancy, it is critical for physicians to recognize the importance of detection and treatment of dyslipidemia in the elderly.