ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Elderly persons are a rapidly growing segment of the population, and most heart attacks and strokes occur among them (1). The most likely reason for death in an elderly person is cardiovascular disease (CVD) (1). In the pathophysiology of the atherosclerotic process underlying these clinical outcomes, disorders of lipid metabolism play a central role. Atherosclerosis is a systemic disease that accumulates over a lifetime and, therefore, addressing disorders of lipid metabolism in the elderly is an important endeavor. Prevention remains paramount, especially given the elderly may be prone to suffering disability following a cardiovascular event. Lack of independence with activities following a stroke or heart failure following a myocardial infarction are particularly devastating outcomes in the elderly.
