Lipid testing

  • less useful with increasing age

  • naturally increase until approx. 65yo and begin to decline in most

  • no clear optiaml level aged >80

  • low lipid may be indicator of poor nutritional status

    • occult disease

    • increase risk of underlying moriditiy and mortality

  • continued lipid testing with normal baseline unneccesasry

  • statin not normally initiated

  • role for follow-up who are being treated with a statin for 2ary prevention

  • once goal = q3yrs

Statin use

  • uncertain

  • young elderly

    • some evidence of benefit
  • vs very elderly

    • no evidence reduces mortality

    • all-cause mortality highest when total cholesterol \<5.5

  • secondary prevention

    • reduces all cause mortality

    • reduces incidence of cardiovascalur events