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Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease in Older People
Author(s) -
Bonita Ruth,
Beaglehole Robert
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
australasian journal on ageing
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.63
H-Index - 34
eISSN - 1741-6612
pISSN - 1440-6381
DOI - 10.1111/j.1741-6612.1998.tb00049.x
Subject(s) - medicine , life expectancy , disease , intervention (counseling) , primary prevention , gerontology , cause of death , population , blood pressure , physical therapy , intensive care medicine , environmental health , nursing
. Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death, morbidity and disability in older people. Strategies for cardiovascular disease prevention and intervention in older people are similar to those available for younger ages. The population strategy for primary prevention is broad ranging from food and tobacco policy legislation and media communication to simple and direct advice delivered by all health workers. High risk strategies for reducing elevated levels of the major cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension and hypercholesterolemia in older populations indicate that gains in life expectancy are greatest where absolute risk is highest and the intervention is the cheapest available. Non‐pharmacological treatment, in particular dietary therapy, is recommended as the first line of treatment for both raised blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Because of the high excess mortality associated with smoking, even a brief advice package associated with modest success is cost effective in older people. Health policy for older people should be directed towards the overall goal of maintenance of autonomy and should include prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of cardiovascular disease as part of a comprehensive program for the prevention and control of all diseases.