Geriatric cardiology - an imperative of our time

Cardiovascular disease is  the leading cause of  morbidity and mortality, especially in  older adults. The older are characterized by a combination of CVD with other non-infection chronic diseases, changes in cognitive and functional status, social and economic circumstances. To  date, there are no  formalized guidelines for managing patients in response to all issues, since historically clinical recommendations are «disease-centric», while older patients with CVD require an inclusive and integrative patient-centric approach to insure comprehensive health care. Integration of the basic principles of cardiovascular disease management and the principles of geriatrics is becoming increasingly necessary to provide high quality care for older patients.