Secondary cardiovascular prevention in older adults： an evidence based review

1 Background In the United States, life expectancy is rising, particularly among the older population （〉 65 years）, with projected estimates approaching 20% by year 2050. Despite improved survival estimates, cardiovascular diseases remain the leading cause of morbidity and mortality resulting in substantial increase in health care cost. For younger adults, the evidence for secondary cardiovascular prevention is well established and corroborated by robust data. However, the application of risk reduction strategies in older populations remains an area of active debate. Many assume that vulnerability to chronic cardiovascular diseases is an inexorable part of aging such that the risks attributable to prevention outweigh potential benefits.