Health promotion in the elderly with coronary artery disease

The number of elderly Americans, those over the age of 65 years of age, continues to climb. A lifetime of poor nutrition and lack of exercise has led many elderly patients to experience coronary artery disease (CAD) later in life, leading to invasive procedures and other forms of disease management that contribute to mounting health care costs and lower quality of life. Although health promotion has been accepted as the necessary answer to this problem by many in the healthcare community, many physicians are still lacking in promoting this concept, often due to the lack of insurance reimbursements. This paper will explore three key disciplines linked to health promotion in the elderly and why this topic is so vital for our future.