Cholesterol and the older adult

The National Cholesterol Education Program and physician/patient awareness of the risks of hypercholesterolemia have resulted in aggressive screening and treatment of elevated cholesterol levels. The "one size fits all" concept has been used as the criterion for intervention. However, this has been promulgated without convincing evidence that levels of cholesterol are as important in older individuals as in those of middle age. Clearly, cholesterol is not the only contributor to cardiovascular risk, and other risk factors such as smoking, hypertension, diabetes, and obesity should not be ignored. To prevent unnecessary intervention, overzealous interpretation of cholesterol values should be avoided.