Evolving concepts of cardiovascular disease prevention in older adults

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Clinical and subclinical disease increase in prevalence with age and impose a significant burden on this population. Given the increase in absolute cardiovascular risk with age, there is tremendous potential for benefit from primary and secondary cardiovascular disease preventive interventions in the elderly. Recent clinical trials focusing on preventive therapies targeting cardiovascular disease risk factors, including hypertension and cholesterol, have shed light on the potential gains from these measures in older adults. This article briefly reviews several of the current issues and unanswered questions relating to cardiovascular disease prevention in the elderly.