With the development of medical techniques, the number of non‑cardiac surgery is on the rise and surgical patients tend to elderly people. These patients often suffer with multiple chronic diseases, and more likely to present various adverse events during the perioperative period. In particular, perioperative adverse cardiovascular events, with a high incidence and bad impacts, are the major cause of death within 30 days after non‑cardiac surgery. Risk factors influencing the occurrence of perioperative adverse cardiovascular events for elderly patients are numerous. This article will review the risk factors that induce perioperative adverse cardiovascular events for elderly patients from three stages: preoperative evaluation and preparation, intraoperative management and postoperative monitoring. Furthermore, it provides reference for perioperative anesthesia management and related clinical research in elderly patients.