Table 1.

Overview of Common Health Problems Affecting Older Adults With CVD

Geriatric conditions	Definition	Prevalence in adults ≥65 y	Relevant epidemiology data in older adults	Prognosis and clinical implication
Multimorbidity	Coexistence of 2 or more chronic diseases	30% to 83%	Various combinations of chronic diseases Cardiovascular comorbidities are the most frequently reported	↓ Functional status and QOL ↑ Polypharmacy ↑ Falls ↑ Use of care ↑ Mortality
Polypharmacy	Simultaneous use of ≥5 medications Excessive polypharmacy: ≥10 drugs	26.3% to 40%	Excessive polypharmacy ≈ 10% Incidence at 3 y: 53%–87% Cardiovascular medications are the most frequently reported	↑ Adverse drug reactions ↑ Institutionalization Exacerbation of other medical conditions ↑ Hospital admissions ↑ Mortality
Geriatric syndrome	Impaired function because of cumulative, synergistic effects on multiple organ systems	10% to 60% (at least 1 GS)	Prevalence in inpatients with acute CVD: 60%	↑ Frailty ↓ Functional status and QOL ↑ Hospital admission ↑ Mortality
Frailty	A state of reduced physiological reserve in multiorgan systems, increasing susceptibility to stressful events	10%	CVD: 10%– 60%; severe CAD: 50% An important prognostic determinant in older patients with CVD	↓ Functional status and QOL ↑ Falls ↑ Hospital admission ↑ Mortality

CAD indicates coronary artery disease; CVD, cardiovascular disease; GS, geriatric syndrome; and QOL, quality of life.