Cardiovascular disease risk reduction in older adults.

Preventing cardiovascular events in older persons presents unique challenges to clinicians. Cardiovascular disease accounts for a large amount of disability and mortality in older persons. Older persons are often faced with unique and multiple challenges to health, including cognitive decline, social isolation, financial constraints, and physical disabilities. As more and more older persons are enrolled in studies that aim to better understand coronary heart disease and its prevention, new information is becoming available that allow clinicians to improve outcomes in the older adult. The most recent updates in the area of medical management, as well as updates of recommendations for lifestyle changes, including physical activity and dietary recommendations for older persons at risk, are presented in this article.