Hypercholesterolemia in the Elderly: Evaluation and Treatment.
Hypercholesterolemia has been established as an important risk factor for atherosclerotic vascular disease. Treatment of elevated cholesterol levels has been shown to clearly reduce the risk of coronary artery events in patients with prior coronary disease as well as with patients without a history of myocardial ischemia. However, in the elderly the association is less clearly defined and the benefits of treating elevated cholesterol levels less established. The following article will discuss the role of hypercholesterolemia in the pathogenesis of coronary artery disease in the elderly and will review the benefits and risks of therapy.
Stein
Peter F.
PF
Section of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia, Augusta, GA.