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Abstract
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) in older Americans imposes a huge burden in mortality,
morbidity, disability, functional decline, and health care costs. In light of the
projected growth of the population of older adults over the next several decades,
the societal burden attributable to CVD will continue to rise. There is thus an enormous
opportunity to foster successful aging and to increase functional life years through
expanded efforts aimed at CVD prevention. This article provides an overview of the
epidemiology of CVD in older adults, including an assessment of the impact of CVD
on mortality, morbidity, and health care costs.