Prevention of atherosclerosis progression in asymptomatic healthy elderly.

This review focuses on the role of lipid-lowering, blood pressure-lowering, antithrombotic drugs and diet and their place in the prevention and treatment of atherosclerosis in middle-aged and elderly men and woman. The major emphasis is on noninvasive assessment of the extent of atherosclerotic plaque and the importance of following plaque progression or regression by use of noninvasive ultrasound. With these data, we can demonstrate to both patients and physicians the value, at any age, of treating hypertension and abnormal blood lipids.