Final answer:
The greatest predictor of mortality in elderly people is age, with the risk of cardiovascular diseases increasing significantly as age advances. Lifestyle factors and genetic predisposition are also important but modifiable risks. Conditions such as osteoporosis can lead to complications contributing to mortality.
Step-by-step explanation:
Greatest Predictor of Mortality in Elderly People
The most significant predictor of mortality in the elderly is age itself. Age is a non-modifiable risk factor, and the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases increases with each passing decade. Other risk factors, although not as strong predictors as age, include genetic predisposition, and lifestyle factors such as tobacco smoking, obesity, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, and hypertension. Conditions like osteoporosis can also contribute to mortality due to complications arising from fractures, like deep vein thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, and pneumonia. Management of modifiable risk factors, adopting healthy behaviours, and monitoring for chronic illnesses like heart disease and diabetes are essential in elderly populations.
When addressing risks in elderly people, cardiovascular disease prevalence shows that the incidence of heart or artery diseases increases significantly with age. While genetic factors can multiply this risk, they are often coupled with environmental and lifestyle factors such as physical inactivity and poor diet, leading to metabolic syndrome, which is a major risk factor for cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes.