Review Article

Lipid Management in the Elderly Population

Micheli Ito Gimenes Pires
Cajuru University Hospital, Brazil
Thaise de Araujo Wrubleski
Cajuru University Hospital, Brazil
Gustavo Lenci Marques
Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná, Brazil
* Corresponding author
DOI icon 10.24018/ejmed.2021.3.1.697

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Submitted 2021-02-01
Published 2021-02-24

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Table of Contents

Article Main Content

Considering that deaths from cardiovascular disease have been increasing in proportion to population ageing, prevention and treatment of dyslipidemia in elderly people is essential to avoid such outcome. Some biomarkers, albeit with limitations, have shown effectiveness in predicting cardiovascular events. Among them, blood levels of C-reactive protein, Lipoprotein A and, especially, coronary artery calcium. Dyslipidemia management primarily includes changes in lifestyle, such as physical activity, diet and smoking cessation. However, in elderly, drug therapy may be necessary, with statins being the first line treatment. In addition, therapies with drugs that decrease intestinal cholesterol absorption or increase LDL absorption by the liver, for example, have shown benefit when added to conventional therapy. Therefore, this review aims to contemplate some aspects of dyslipidemia in the elderly population, since appropriate management of such condition can significantly avoid undesirable outcomes.

Keywords: cardiovascular disease, cholesterol, dyslipidemia, elderly, statins

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