<International Circulation>:  The management of dyslipidemia in cardiovascular disease in the elderly is important. What are the potential problems in these patients that need to be addressed in formulating a clinic strategy?

    Prof. Eckel: Firstly， the elderly respond to a statin intervention as well if not better than younger people. Because the absolute risk from heart attack or stroke or cardiovascular disease in general is higher in the elderly simply because they are older， that intervention needs to be implemented more zealously.  Importantly， however， older people are more likely to have side effects to medications and also perhaps more unlikely to continue in a compliant manner with a medication as prescribed， so additional issues relate to adverse effects and compliance. Adverse effects need to be closely monitored by the physician and that mostly relates to muscles – aches and pains and very rarely serious muscle damage.