PREVENTION OF CARDIOVASCULAR-DISEASES IN HIGHER AGE - WHATEVER IS EFFICIENT

The risk factor concept of atherosclerosis is true also in people adva nced in years. But frequency and consequence of the risk factors chang e with age. Over 65 years of age smoking and hyperlipoproteinemia are not any longer so eminently significant for the development of coronar y heart disease as they are for younger people, but the importance of arterial hypertension and diabetes mellitus increases. So the primary prevention of chronic cardiovascular diseases in higher age demands th e correct diagnosis and treatment of hypertension (until the age of 75 -80) and of diabetes mellitus (without a limitation by age) in the fir st place, furthermore, physical activity (so far as feasible in the in dividual case) and care for psychosocial contacts. The secondary preve ntion in older patients with atherosclerotic damages has to observe th e same rules as in younger people, on principle. However, it is import ant to consider the special status of the aging organism, especially f or pharmacotherapy, and the individual situation of the patient in par ticular.