Patients as young as 20 years need to be evaluated forcardiovascular risk factors, according to recently updatedrecommendations from the American Heart Association(AHA).1 In addition, the risk of heart disease should beassessed every 5 years in persons aged 40 or older andthose with multiple risk factors.
Patients as young as 20 years need to be evaluated for cardiovascular risk factors, according to recently updated recommendations from the American Heart Association (AHA).1 In addition, the risk of heart disease should be assessed every 5 years in persons aged 40 or older and those with multiple risk factors.
How best to prevent the first episode of coronary heart disease or stroke in patients at risk? The Table provides evidence-based recommendations that reflect advances in cardiovascular disease prevention which have occurred since the original AHA guidelines were published in 1997.1
REFERENCES:
1.
Pearson TA, Blair SN, Daniels SR, et al. AHA Guidelines for Primary Preventionof Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: 2002 Update: Consensus PanelGuide to Comprehensive Risk Reduction for Adult Patients Without Coronary orOther Atherosclerotic Vascular Diseases. American Heart Association ScienceAdvisory and Coordinating Committee.
Circulation
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2.
US Preventive Services Task Force. Aspirin for the primary prevention ofcardiovascular events: recommendations and rationale.
Ann Intern Med
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3.
Antithrombotic Trialists Collaboration. Collaborative meta-analysis of randomizedtrials of antiplatelet therapy for prevention of death, myocardial infarction,and stroke in high risk patients.
BMJ
. 2002;324:71-86.
4.
Hayden M, Pignone M, Phillips C, et al. Aspirin for the primary prevention ofcardiovascular events: a summary of the evidence for the US Preventive ServicesTask Force.
Ann Intern Med
. 2002;136:161-172.