Cardiovascular disease in the elderly: proceedings of the European Society of Cardiology-Cardiovascular Round Table

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Cardiovascular Medicine
• Public Health

Background:

• The global elderly population is increasing, presenting challenges in healthcare and societal support.
• Older adults exhibit a higher prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) disease, numerous CV risk factors, and age-related comorbidities.
• Current CV prevention and management strategies are under-utilized and under-studied in the elderly population.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the growing impact of aging on cardiovascular health and the need for enhanced primary prevention.
• To discuss considerations for pharmacological and interventional treatments in elderly patients.
• To emphasize the importance of quality of life and patient priorities in clinical decision-making for older adults.

Main Methods:

• Review of current literature on cardiovascular disease in aging populations.
• Analysis of challenges in clinical trial inclusion and outcome assessment for older adults.
• Discussion of real-world evidence and multidisciplinary care approaches.

Main Results:

• Older patients require tailored approaches considering frailty, cognitive status, and quality of life alongside longevity.
• Clinical trials often underrepresent older adults, necessitating a greater focus on real-world studies for long-term outcomes, particularly safety and quality of life.
• Multidisciplinary care and patient involvement in decision-making are crucial for optimizing CV care in the elderly.

Conclusions:

• Addressing the cardiovascular needs of the aging population requires a shift towards inclusive clinical research and personalized treatment strategies.
• Continued primary prevention efforts targeting CV risk factors are essential.
• Integrating patient-centered goals, including quality of life, into treatment plans is paramount for effective elderly cardiovascular care.