Related Experiment Video

Updated: Sep 30, 2025

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
09:15

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles

Published on: November 10, 2017

14.8K

[Should dyslipidemia be treated in the elderly and very old people?]

Sylvain Bétrisey1,2, Oliver Baretella1,2, Manuel Blum1,2

  • 1Consultation des lipides, Clinique universitaire de médecine interne, Inselspital, Hôpital universitaire de Berne, 3010 Berne.

Revue Medicale Suisse
|March 10, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Statins effectively prevent cardiovascular disease recurrence. Their benefit in primary prevention for individuals over 70, especially those with comorbidities, remains unclear, requiring careful consideration of individual factors.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Geriatrics
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Statins are proven for secondary cardiovascular prevention.
  • Evidence for statins in primary prevention for adults over 70 is limited.
  • Elderly patients with comorbidities are often excluded from clinical trials.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the evidence on statin use in primary prevention for older adults.
  • To discuss factors influencing the decision to initiate or discontinue statins in this population.
  • To highlight the need for shared decision-making in clinical practice.

Main Methods:

  • Literature review of existing studies and clinical trials.
  • Analysis of factors relevant to clinical decision-making in elderly patients.
  • Discussion of current recommendations and ongoing research.

Main Results:

  • Statin benefits are well-established for secondary prevention.
  • The efficacy and safety of statins for primary prevention in the elderly (over 70) are not clearly defined.
  • Ongoing trials aim to clarify these benefits and risks.

Conclusions:

  • Clinical decisions regarding statins in older adults require individualized assessment, including age, comorbidities, life expectancy, functional status, and patient preferences.
  • Statin discontinuation is generally not recommended outside of clinical trials for this population.

More Related Videos

Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation06:47

Isolation and Analysis of Plasma Lipoproteins by Ultracentrifugation

Published on: January 28, 2021

11.6K
Stimulation of Vascular Endothelial Cells Using Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in the Presence of Low-Density Lipoprotein07:26

Stimulation of Vascular Endothelial Cells Using Neutrophil Extracellular Traps in the Presence of Low-Density Lipoprotein

Published on: August 12, 2025

122

Related Concept Videos

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
925
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
56
Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements01:18

Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements

Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ...
1.1K
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
113
Angina IV: Management01:26

Angina IV: Management

IntroductionThe management of angina requires a comprehensive approach that includes pharmacological therapies, medical procedures, and lifestyle modifications.Pharmacological TherapiesAntiplatelet agents, such as aspirin, clopidogrel, prasugrel, and ticagrelor, play a pivotal role in preventing thrombus formation in patients with angina. These medications inhibit platelet aggregation and reduce the likelihood of myocardial infarction and other cardiovascular events.Anticoagulants, including...
40
Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile01:25

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile

Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
314