This Article Full Text (PDF) All Versions of this Article: 1074248408328927v1 14/1/49    most recent References Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by Alexander, K. P. Articles by Ohman, E. M. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Alexander, K. P. Articles by Ohman, E. M. Social Bookmarking                         What's this?

Management of Hyperlipidemia in Older Adults

Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina, alexa019{at}mc.duke.edu

Michael A. Blazing, MD

Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina

Robert S. Rosenson, MD

Division of Cardiovascular Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Elisabeth Hazard, PhD

ValueMedics Research, LLC, Falls Church, Virgina

Wilbert S. Aronow, MD

Cardiology Division, Westchester Medical Center/New York Medical College, Valhalla, New York

Sidney C. Smith, Jr, MD

Center for Cardiovascular Science and Medicine, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, North Carolina

E. Magnus Ohman, MD

Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in men and women older than 65 years; therefore, its prevention is an important public health priority. Although cardiovascular risk is multifactorial, elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels contribute to risk even in old age. Despite the importance of lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with statins to reduce cardiovascular events, specific evidence and recommendations for older populations are limited. Where evidence supports lipid lowering in older adults, provider and patient adherence to statins remains suboptimal. Paradoxically, risk is an inverse driver of statin use regardless of age, with those most likely to benefit being least likely to receive them. Reconsidering evidence around, use of statins as well as ways to optimize the prescription of statins and adherence in appropriately selected older adults is warranted.

Key Words: cardiovascular disease • low-density lipoprotein cholesterol • statins • elderly

This version was published on March 1, 2009

Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Vol. 14, No. 1, 49-58 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/1074248408328927


CiteULike    Complore    Connotea    Del.icio.us    Digg    Reddit    Technorati    Twitter    What's this?