Optimising Cardiovascular Care in Ageing Populations: Integrating Geriatric Principles into Contemporary Cardiology
Abstract
Introduction
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in older adults. Conventional disease-focused management often fails to address frailty, multimorbidity, cognitive impairment and polypharmacy, which significantly influence clinical outcomes in this population. This narrative review evaluated current evidence for comprehensive geriatric cardiology and explored multidisciplinary strategies to improve cardiovascular care, functional independence and quality of life in older adults.
Method
A narrative review was performed using PubMed and the Cochrane Library. Literature published over the previous 15 years was searched using terms including older adults, cardiovascular disease, frailty and polypharmacy. Cohort studies, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, scientific statements and narrative reviews were included. Evidence was synthesised thematically to evaluate diagnostic challenges, comprehensive geriatric assessment, multidisciplinary management, healthcare inequalities and emerging innovations in geriatric cardiology.
Results
The available evidence supports a comprehensive geriatric cardiology model that extends beyond disease-specific treatment by incorporating frailty assessment, medication optimisation, cognitive evaluation and shared decision-making. Multidisciplinary care involving cardiologists, geriatricians, nurses, pharmacists and rehabilitation teams was consistently associated with improved quality of life, greater functional independence, fewer hospital readmissions and more individualised treatment planning. Emerging evidence also highlights the potential of telemedicine, precision medicine and age-adapted diagnostic approaches to improve care delivery while addressing persistent health inequalities affecting older adults.
Conclusion(s)
Delivering high-quality cardiovascular care for an ageing population requires a transition from disease-centred practice towards comprehensive, multidisciplinary and person-centred care. Integrating geriatric assessment into routine cardiovascular practice may improve patient-centred outcomes, reduce avoidable hospitalisation and better align treatment with individual goals and priorities. Further implementation research is required to support wider adoption of comprehensive geriatric cardiology across diverse healthcare settings.