Recent Guidelines for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: The Highlights

January 1, 2003

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 Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: 2002 Update: Consensus Panel Guide to Comprehensive Risk Reduction for Adult Patients Without Coronary or Other Atherosclerotic Vascular Diseases. American Heart Association Science Advisory and Coordinating Committee. Circulation. 2002;106:388-391.
2. US Preventive Services Task Force. Aspirin for the primary prevention of cardiovascular events: recommendations and rationale. Ann Intern Med. 2002; 136:157-160.
3. Antithrombotic Trialists Collaboration. Collaborative meta-analysis of randomized trials 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 of cardiovascular events: a summary of the evidence for the US Preventive Services Task Force. Ann Intern Med. 2002;136:161-172.

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Recent Guidelines for Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke: The Highlights

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