Authors analyze actual situation in treatment of cardiovascular diseases in older patients. Different groups of recommended drugs are discussed separately; possible risks for elderly patients are stressed. Angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors-this group is widely used in older patients because of their hypotensive effect, positive influence on cardiac failure, and positive modulation of endothelial dysfunction. The risk of hyperkalemia must be considered. Antiaggregants and anticoagulants are proved as potent prophylactic treatment, but the associated risk of gastrointestinal bleeding must be weighed very carefully. Bradycardia related to β-blockers, especially in combination with other medications lowering the heart rate must be taken into account. Otherwise, this group brings the highest profit in cardiovascular diseases as for morbidity and mortality. Attention is paid to calcium channel blockers, statins, diuretics, nitrates, and digoxin. A table listing the possible side effects and clinical symptoms of overdose by medications most frequently used in the elderly concludes the article.

• MeSH
• Incidence MeSH
• Cardiovascular Agents therapeutic use   MeSH
• Cardiovascular Diseases drug therapy   epidemiology   MeSH
• Comorbidity MeSH
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Evidence-Based Medicine MeSH
• Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions epidemiology   MeSH
• Risk Factors MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Check Tag
• Middle Aged MeSH
• Humans MeSH
• Male MeSH
• Aged, 80 and over MeSH
• Aged MeSH
• Female MeSH
• Publication type
• Journal Article MeSH
• Review MeSH
• Names of Substances
• Cardiovascular Agents MeSH