How to Improve Clinical Outcomes and Reduce Cardiovascular Risk in Older People with Cardiovascular Disease: Bridging Evidence Gaps

Abstract

The geriatric population is greatly impacted by cardiovascular disease. Thus, it becomes essential to ‘geriatricise’ the cardiologist through the dissemination of geriatric cardiology. In the early days of geriatric cardiology, it was discussed whether it was simply cardiology ‘well done’. Today, 40 years later, it seems clear that this is indeed the case. Patients with cardiovascular disease usually have several chronic conditions. Clinical practice guidelines often address a single condition and do not provide sufficient guidance for patients with multimorbidity. There are several evidence gaps regarding these patients. Physicians and members of the care team need a multidimensional understanding of the patient to better promote the optimisation of care. It is important to understand that ageing is inevitable, heterogeneous and increases vulnerability. Caregivers must know how to assess elderly patients in a multidomain practical way and how to recognise the factors that may have implications on treatment.