[Plasma lipid level in the elderly].

We report here the plasma lipid levels and the incidence of hyperlipidemia in the elderly. The prevalence of hyperlipidemia was 20 to 40% and almost the same in the elderly compared to that in young adults. The most important role of hyperlipidemia is that it is a risk factor for atherosclerosis in the elderly as well as in young adults. However, the level at which treatment is started and treatment goals are different between young adults and elderly patients because the incidence of other diseases and complications and the length of life remaining are different. We also describe the management of hyperlipidemia in the elderly.