Coronary heart disease risk in people 65 years of age and older.
Evidence from epidemiologic studies indicates that the same factors that are associated with increased risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) in middle-aged people are relevant in older adults (i.e., those aged >or=65). The relative risk associated with some risk factors decreases with advancing age but this is offset by greater incidence of CHD among older adults. A growing body of evidence from clinical trials indicates that risk factor modification in older adults reduces CHD risk as effectively as it does in middle-aged adults. Multivariable risk assessment can be used to effectively target intervention to those at significant risk for an initial CHD event and to avoid over-treatment. It is important to appreciate that the average remaining life expectancy after achieving 80 years is about 8 years.
Levine
Barbara S
BS
Department of Preventive Medicine and Epidemiology, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA. bslev@comcast.net
Kannel
William  B
W
D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D048909:Diabetes Complications; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D017379:Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015994:Incidence; D008017:Life Expectancy; D008297:Male; D008404:Massachusetts / Q000453:epidemiology; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D015995:Prevalence; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000074606:Smoking Prevention