A practical approach to reducing cardiovascular risk factors.
Despite overwhelming evidence supporting the benefits of cardiovascular protective therapies and risk reduction in patients with or at risk for coronary heart disease, these strategies remain underutilized in clinical practice. Preventive cardiology guidelines from the American Heart Association, the American College of Cardiology, and others focus on primary and secondary prevention with the use of medications, risk factor control measures, and lifestyle modification. Still, a "treatment gap" remains between the guidelines and their actualization. A systematic approach including both inpatient and outpatient measures is necessary. This article discusses the current guidelines and addresses ways to increase implementation of evidence-based, guideline-recommended treatment by healthcare providers caring for at-risk patients.
Fonarow
Gregg C
GC
Ahmanson-UCLA Cardiomyopathy Center, UCLA Preventive Cardiology Program, UCLA Division of Cardiology, Los Angeles, California, USA.
D000553:Ambulatory Care; D000572:American Heart Association; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001364:Awareness; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D050171:Dyslipidemias / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011785:Quality Assurance, Health Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D014481:United States; D015431:Weight Loss