Primary prevention of XXXX in the elderly.

@entity1 @entity117 @entity301
OBJECTIVE: To review relevant literature supporting the use of antihypertensive agents, lipid-lowering agents (i.e., statins), and @entity117 therapy for the primary prevention of @entity301 ( @entity301 ) in an elderly @entity1 population (age >or=65 y). DATA SOURCES: A MEDLINE search (1988-January 2003) was conducted. STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION: Primary and tertiary literature involving the uses of antihypertensives, statins, and @entity117 therapy in the elderly were reviewed. DATA SYNTHESIS: Mortality due to @entity301 in the US population has decreased 40-50% over the last 30 years; however, @entity301 remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in elderly @entity1 . As the population continues to age, the number of older adults eligible for primary prevention will rise. The American Heart Association clinical practice guidelines for the primary prevention of @entity301 were updated in 2002; however, they are based on findings from clinical trials that enrolled predominantly middle-aged white @entity1 . The recommendations for elderly individuals are predominantly extrapolated from subgroup analyses of randomized clinical trials or cohort studies. This literature suggests that elderly @entity1 are candidates for primary prevention measures and experience reductions in coronary events when treated with appropriate therapies. CONCLUSIONS: Data suggest that use of antihypertensives, statins, and @entity117 therapy in the elderly appears effective to an extent similar to, and often greater than, that observed in younger @entity1 . We believe these agents should be prescribed to all appropriate high-risk elderly @entity1 . Ongoing and future studies will more clearly elucidate the benefits of primary prevention therapy, particularly in @entity1 >or=75 years of age.
