[Prevention of cardiovascular diseases in the elderly--what is still useful?].

The risk factor concept of atherosclerosis is true also in people advanced in years. But frequency and consequence of the risk factors change with age. Over 65 years of age smoking and hyperlipoproteinemia are not any longer so eminently significant for the development of coronary 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 disease in higher age demands the correct diagnosis and treatment of hypertension (until the age of 75-80) and of diabetes mellitus (without a limitation by age) in the first place, furthermore, physical activity (so far as feasible in the individual case) and care for psychosocial contacts. The secondary prevention in older patients with atherosclerotic damages has to observe the same rules as in younger people, on principle. However, it is important to consider the special status of the aging organism, especially for pharmacotherapy, and the individual situation of the patient in particular.