Many of the approximately 12.4 million Americans whohave cardiovascular disease are not being treated with themost up-to-date risk-reduction therapies.1 Strong evidencefrom recent studies, such as the National Heart, Lung, andBlood Institute’s Adult Treatment Panel III report2 and theHeart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) trial,3demonstrate the need for more aggressive use of appropriatemedical and lifestyle therapies for these patients.
Many of the approximately 12.4 million Americans whohave cardiovascular disease are not being treated with themost up-to-date risk-reduction therapies.1 Strong evidencefrom recent studies, such as the National Heart, Lung, andBlood Institute's Adult Treatment Panel III report2 and theHeart Outcomes Prevention Evaluation (HOPE) trial,3demonstrate the need for more aggressive use of appropriatemedical and lifestyle therapies for these patients.
The American Heart Association and the AmericanCollege of Cardiology recently updated their 1995 guidelinesto reflect the latest data (Table).