Prevention of cardiovascular disease in aging (literature review)

Life expectancy has increased significantly in recent decades. In this scenario, healthcare interventions are needed to improve the prognosis and quality of life of older adults with cardiovascular risk factors and cardiovascular disease. However, the number of older patients included in clinical trials is small, so current clinical practice guidelines do not include specific recommendations. The aim of this document is to review preventive recommendations targeting patients ≥ 75 years old with high or very high cardiovascular risk regarding goals, medical treatment options, and including physical exercise and its inclusion in cardiac rehabilitation programs. In addition, it is shown why geriatric syndromes such as frailty, dependence, cognitive impairment and nutritional status, as well as comorbidities, should be considered in this population in terms of their important prognostic impact. It is important to assess the most common comorbidities, including anemia, which is often identified in older age, and the mental status of patients, as depression is common in this population and may be confused with or overlap with cognitive impairment, increasing complications and cardiovascular morbidity and mortality