Lipid-Targeted Atherosclerotic Risk Reduction in Older Adults: A Review
Aggressive lipid-lowering lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic therapies are the cornerstones of the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. While statins are highly effective, inexpensive, and generally well-tolerated medications, many clinicians and...
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Format: | Article |
Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-03-01
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Series: | Geriatrics |
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Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/2/38 |
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author | Lauren J. Hassen Steven R. Scarfone Michael Wesley Milks |
author_facet | Lauren J. Hassen Steven R. Scarfone Michael Wesley Milks |
author_sort | Lauren J. Hassen |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Aggressive lipid-lowering lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic therapies are the cornerstones of the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. While statins are highly effective, inexpensive, and generally well-tolerated medications, many clinicians and patients express uncertainty regarding the necessity of statin treatment in older adults. Citing concerns such as polypharmacy, muscle symptoms, and even potential cognitive changes with statins, many patients and health care providers elect to de-intensify or discontinue statin therapy during the process of aging. A lack of clear representation of older individuals in many clinical trials and practice guidelines may contribute to the ambiguity. However, the recently prevailing data and practice patterns supporting the benefits, safety, and tolerability of a variety of lipid-lowering therapeutics in older adults are discussed here, with particular mention of a potential protective effect from incident dementia among a statin-treated geriatric population and an admonishment of the historical concept of “too-low” low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels. |
first_indexed | 2024-03-09T10:35:18Z |
format | Article |
id | doaj.art-99cf34d599444239bdaefdf904fa54c4 |
institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
issn | 2308-3417 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-03-09T10:35:18Z |
publishDate | 2022-03-01 |
publisher | MDPI AG |
record_format | Article |
series | Geriatrics |
spelling | doaj.art-99cf34d599444239bdaefdf904fa54c42023-12-01T20:58:08ZengMDPI AGGeriatrics2308-34172022-03-01723810.3390/geriatrics7020038Lipid-Targeted Atherosclerotic Risk Reduction in Older Adults: A ReviewLauren J. Hassen0Steven R. Scarfone1Michael Wesley Milks2Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USADepartment of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH 43210, USAAggressive lipid-lowering lifestyle modifications and pharmacologic therapies are the cornerstones of the primary and secondary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease events. While statins are highly effective, inexpensive, and generally well-tolerated medications, many clinicians and patients express uncertainty regarding the necessity of statin treatment in older adults. Citing concerns such as polypharmacy, muscle symptoms, and even potential cognitive changes with statins, many patients and health care providers elect to de-intensify or discontinue statin therapy during the process of aging. A lack of clear representation of older individuals in many clinical trials and practice guidelines may contribute to the ambiguity. However, the recently prevailing data and practice patterns supporting the benefits, safety, and tolerability of a variety of lipid-lowering therapeutics in older adults are discussed here, with particular mention of a potential protective effect from incident dementia among a statin-treated geriatric population and an admonishment of the historical concept of “too-low” low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels.https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/2/38lipid-lowering therapystatinhyperlipidemialow density lipoprotein |
spellingShingle | Lauren J. Hassen Steven R. Scarfone Michael Wesley Milks Lipid-Targeted Atherosclerotic Risk Reduction in Older Adults: A Review Geriatrics lipid-lowering therapy statin hyperlipidemia low density lipoprotein |
title | Lipid-Targeted Atherosclerotic Risk Reduction in Older Adults: A Review |
title_full | Lipid-Targeted Atherosclerotic Risk Reduction in Older Adults: A Review |
title_fullStr | Lipid-Targeted Atherosclerotic Risk Reduction in Older Adults: A Review |
title_full_unstemmed | Lipid-Targeted Atherosclerotic Risk Reduction in Older Adults: A Review |
title_short | Lipid-Targeted Atherosclerotic Risk Reduction in Older Adults: A Review |
title_sort | lipid targeted atherosclerotic risk reduction in older adults a review |
topic | lipid-lowering therapy statin hyperlipidemia low density lipoprotein |
url | https://www.mdpi.com/2308-3417/7/2/38 |
work_keys_str_mv | AT laurenjhassen lipidtargetedatheroscleroticriskreductioninolderadultsareview AT stevenrscarfone lipidtargetedatheroscleroticriskreductioninolderadultsareview AT michaelwesleymilks lipidtargetedatheroscleroticriskreductioninolderadultsareview |