ABSTRACT Introduction: Hypercholesterolemia is associated with cardiovascular diseases in the elderly population and, also, with risk factors such as age, life expectancy, and functional capacity. Aging as a social transformation of the twenty-first century constitutes an epidemiological situation related with the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. They are classified as modifiable (high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, smoking, obesity) and non-modifiable (age, sex, family history). Smoking potentiates this disease, as does high blood pressure by multiplying functional limitations. Objective: To describe hypercholesterolemia as a cardiovascular risk factor in older adults. Methods: A bibliographic review study was carried out through systematic consultation of articles and books published in electronic databases such as PubMed, Scielo, Dialnet, Cochrane plus, Redalyc, Elsevier, in addition to national and international organizations, during the period from January to June 2019. In order to search for the information, health descriptors were used, such as hipercolesterolemia [hypercholesterolemia], adulto mayor [older adults], factores de riesgo [risk factors], together with the Boolean operator and. We also consulted websites such as the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Cardiovascular disease and diabetes, American Diabetes Association, Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management. Conclusions: Hypercholesterolemia is a modifiable risk factor; therefore, it is recommended to establish prevention strategies that modify the lifestyle of the older adults positively. Furthermore, statins should be used in doses of low to moderate intensity, considering the pharmacological interactions and adverse effects, as well as presence of comorbidities and life expectancy.
RESUMEN Introducción: La hipercolesterolemia está asociada a enfermedades cardiovasculares en la población adulta mayor y, además, a factores de riesgo como: edad, esperanza de vida y capacidad funcional. El envejecimiento como transformación social del siglo XXI constituye una situación epidemiológica relacionada con los factores de riesgo de las enfermedades cardiovasculares, se clasifican en modificables (hipertensión arterial, niveles elevados de colesterol, tabaquismo, obesidad) y no modificables (edad, sexo, antecedentes familiares). El tabaquismo potencia esta enfermedad, al igual que la hipertensión arterial multiplicando las limitaciones funcionales. Objetivo: Describir la hipercolesterolemia como factor de riesgo cardiovascular en adultos mayores. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio de revisión bibliográfica mediante la consulta sistemática de artículos y libros publicados en bases de datos electrónicos como: PubMed, Scielo, Dialnet, Cochrane plus, Redalyc, Elsevier, además de organismos nacionales e internacionales, durante el periodo enero-junio 2019. Para la búsqueda de información se utilizaron descriptores en salud como hipercolesterolemia, adulto mayor, factores de riesgo y boleano (and). También se consultaron páginas web como: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, Cardiovascular disease and diabetes, American Diabetes Association, Cardiovascular Disease and Risk Management. Conclusiones: La hipercolesterolemia constituye un factor de riesgo modificable, por tanto, se recomienda establecer estrategias de prevención que modifiquen de manera positiva el estilo de vida del adulto mayor. Además, la utilización de estatinas debe ser en dosis de baja a moderada intensidad, considerando las interacciones farmacológicas y efectos adversos, presencia de comorbilidades y expectativa de vida.