Recent Advances in the Prevention of Coronary Artery Diseases: Focus on Primary Prevention.
BACKGROUND: Several new strategies for prevention of coronary artery disease have emerged. This review examines the various approaches to primary prevention, and some aspects of secondary prevention. METHODS AND RESULTS: The role of aspirin, beta-blockers, exercise, diets, fish intake, vitamin E, and folic acid are discussed. The potential role of chlamydia in atherosclerosis, the protective effect of alcohol consumption, and the benefits of female sex hormones are also examined. An update on lipid-lowering therapy, and a summary of the recent major clinical trials establishing the use of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors in primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease, are provided. CONCLUSIONS: An aggressive approach to medical management of coronary artery disease a substantial reduction in risk.
Sudhir
K
Cardiology Division, Vascular Research Laboratory, San Francisco, California, USA