title: Management of hyperlipidemia in older adults.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Duke Clinical Research Institute, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, North Carolina 27715, USA. alexa019@mc.duke.edu
authors.forename: Karen P
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Alexander
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Blazing
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Rosenson
authors.forename: Elisabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hazard
authors.forename: Wilbert S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Aronow
authors.forename: Sidney C
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: E Magnus
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Ohman
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011322:Primary Prevention; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids