The Joint European Societies guidelines on cardiovascular disease (CVD) prevention define lifestyle and risk factor targets for patients with coronary or other atherosclerotic disease and people at high risk of developing CVD. However, several surveys in Europe and the United States showed inadequate lifestyle and risk factor management and under-use of prophylactic drug therapies in primary and secondary CVD prevention. Various professional associations have developed core components, standards, and outcome measures to evaluate quality of care and provide guidelines for identifying opportunities for improvements. Optimal control of cardiovascular risk factors is one of the most effective methods for reducing vascular events in patients with atherosclerotic disease or high cardiovascular risk. Improving treatment adherence is also very important. Health-related quality of life (HRQL) is considered as an outcome measure in research studies and in clinical practice. HRQL measures can help in improving patient-clinician communication, screening, monitoring, and continuous assessment of quality of care.