ABSTRACT. Although there is no clear-cut threshold of old age, for medical purposes physicians tend to define “elderly” as beginning in the range of 65 to 70. In practice, however, treatment decisions are based not on age alone but on a person’s entire medical profile and mental outlook – both of which may be “young” or “old” for a particular chronological age. Cardiovascular disease – including coronary heart disease, hypertension, heart valve disease, and rhythm disorders – becomes increasingly common with advancing age. Heart problems in old age may affect the quality of life, the length of life, or both. The coronary heart disease being the leading cause of death in the elderly, other troubles – such as rhythm disturbances and valve dysfunction – are also important because of the symptoms they present, for example, chest pain, as well as fatigue, shortness of breath, fainting. The elderly are not only a high-risk group in terms of prognosis but they also have an increased risk of treatment-related complications, which significantly affects their management.

Keywords: interventional cardiology; surgical cardiology; risks and benefits; elderly patients; quality of life