Calculation of cardiovascular risk in elderly patients

Although the impact of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors decreases with aging, modification of conventional risk factors in advanced age can decrease CV events. Use of standard CV risk calculation scales is not generally recommended for older (>65 years) patients, and when used, they overestimate the risk. A validated SCORE-old age scale developed for the age group 65-80 years from the SCORE-risk calculation scale can predict CV mortality better than standard risk scales. In this review the procedure to be followed for the prediction of CV risk is described. It has been emphasized that using the SCORE-old age scale will decrease cases of erroneous overestimation of CV risk in the elderly with resultant potential reduction in unnecessary drug use.