[Statin and cardiovascular diseases after 75 years]

Abstract

Statin prescription in persons older than 75 years or with frailty signs raises questions on the role of cholesterol in the genesis of atherosclerosis in this population, on the benefit of this treatment in primary or secondary prevention, and on their side effects in a context of multiple pathology and multiple medications. These questions are approached with the available literature data for this population. In secondary prevention, statin prescription is recommended whatever the age although intensive treatment should be avoided. In primary prevention, in the absence of consensus, their prescription depends on both geriatric and cardiovascular risk assessment.

Keywords: Cardiovascular events; Pathologie cardiovasculaire; Personnes âgées; Primary prevention; Prévention primaire; Prévention secondaire; Secondary prevention; Statin; Statine; Very old persons.