Cardiovascular disease in the elderly: current considerations.
Today, elderly patients account for one-third of the total United States health care costs and for one-third of all drug prescriptions. As the United States population grows older, health care costs are expected to grow proportionately unless cost reduction strategies are developed. Cardiovascular disease is ranked as the primary cause of mortality and disability in this age group. It is estimated that 80% of cardiovascular disease in the elderly arises as complications of atherosclerosis. Whereas modern technologic advances--cardiac catheterization, coronary angiography, coronary angioplasty, coronary bypass surgery, pacemaker insertion--can help to treat the effects of atherosclerosis, such advances are costly. The most effective cost reduction strategy lies in prevention of atherosclerosis and its complications. A number of studies have linked reduction of risk factors for atherosclerosis to reduction of coronary disease events. However, it is not certain that these data apply directly to the elderly; more research is necessary to develop effective preventive and management strategies.
Kashyap
M L
ML
Department of Medicine, University of California, Irvine.
D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D003363:Cost Control; D003365:Costs and Cost Analysis; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D014481:United States