Acute coronary syndrome in older populations: integrating evidence into clinical practice

Abstract

Acute coronary syndrome (ACS) disproportionately affects older populations. This is despite advancements in diagnosis and management over the past few decades leading to an overall improvement in clinical outcomes in patients with ACS. Patients aged ≥ 70 years account for more than one third of all patients admitted to hospital with ACS and are at the highest risk of complications including mortality. This article reviews ACS in older populations, including the epidemiology, changes in physiology contributing to increased risk, clinical manifestations, inadequacy of current diagnostic methods, and controversies around recommended management strategies.