Drug and nutrient interactions in elderly cardiac patients.

In the elderly, drug treatment is used for the prevention and control of cardiovascular disease. Prevention of cardiovascular disease includes management of hypercholesterolemia to reduce risk of myocardial infarction, treatment of acute myocardial infarction to reduce the risk of recurrence, and treatment of hypertension to reduce the risk of hypertensive heart disease and stroke. Management of chronic cardiovascular disease with permanent disability is the major therapeutic goal. The most commonly treated disorders of the heart and peripheral vascular system include congestive heart failure, arrhythmias, angina, and thromboses. Reduction of plasma lipid levels may be undertaken by drug therapy as a means of preventing myocardial infarction.