Lipid-lowering therapy for older people: The changing paradigm

The benefits of lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) for secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease and primary prevention in middle-aged people at increased risk are well established. Until recently, however, LLT trials have included few people in older age groups, and there may have been a reluctance to prescribe LLT for primary prevention in these groups. Evidence is now accumulating for the benefits of LLT in older people, suggesting chronological age alone should no longer be a barrier to LLT.