Dyslipidemia as a risk factor at elderly age

Abstract

Although the relative risk of high total cholesterol or low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreases with advancing age, this is offset by the greater absolute and attributable risk in an elderly population. Abnormal lipid levels are associated with increased coronary risk in an elderly population, and both increased total and decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels predict coronary death at elderly age. About one third of elderly men and one half of elderly women have cholesterol levels >240 mg/dL. Remediable dyslipidemia is highly relevant at elderly age and should guide recommendations for cardiovascular disease prevention.