The Rationale for Intervention to Reduce the Risk of Coronary Heart Disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular diseases remain extremely common and the United States and are the single most common cause for death in both men and women. Many risk factors including cigarette smoking, elevated cholesterol, high blood pressure, obesity and in inactive lifestyle carry a significant lifestyle component. This fact is recognized in the National Guidelines for the Treatment of many risk factors for cardiovascular disease. Moreover, lifestyle intervention, in combination with proper medical and/or surgical therapy can play a significant role in the management of existing cardiovascular disease. In this review, we provide background and rationale for interventions to reduce the risk of coronary heart disease with a particular emphasis on intervening to improve lifestyle related issues. To achieve the best outcomes clinicians must be skilled not only in pharmacologic and surgical therapies but also in counseling patients on various lifestyle interventions to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease.