Although the general importance of treating high blood cholesterol to prevent coronary heart disease (CHD) is now widely accepted, its application to the older patient has not been well-defined. The association between total blood cholesterol levels and CHD morbidity and mortality weakens with age. However, because age itself is a major risk factor for CHD, treatment of hypercholesterolemia in the elderly may bring about a greater reduction in absolute risk than is obtained in younger persons. More research that directly addresses the benefits of the treatment of hypercholesterolemia in the elderly is needed.