[Hypercholesterolemia in the aged: rational approach to the problem]

While there are definite data showing the correlation between cholesterol level and cardiovascular disease in adults, so far we lack reliable evidence showing hypercholesterolemia to be an important risk factor in the elderly as well. Having examined all available data, the authors come to the conclusion that in elderly subjects, too, hypercholesterolemia should be treated after careful clinical evaluation of every individual case. Whenever possible therapy should be dietary but in light of recent results obtained with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors which are effective and well tolerated also in the elderly, adequate pharmacological management should also be feasible in this type of patient.