Stable angina pectoris: what does the current clinical evidence tell us?
Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. The combination of noninvasive cardiovascular testing and invasive cardiac procedures accounts for a substantial portion of the yearly healthcare expenditure in the United States. Although the diagnosis of ischemically-driven chest pain may appear to be simple and straightforward, it often takes an astute clinician to confirm that clinically significant coronary artery blockage is the cause of a patient's chest pain. Cardiovascular research has provided convincing evidence that aggressive treatment of hypertension and hyperlipidemia--along with a management plan, based on the patient's combined risk factor profile, that includes blood glucose assessment, tobacco cessation, weight loss, healthy eating choices, and consistent aerobic exercise--must be provided to achieve optimal care for our patients. Over the ensuing decade, we will likely continue to see a shift away from routine percutaneous treatment of coronary lesions in favor of an aggressive assessment of a patient's cardiac risk profile followed by a treatment plan centered on active patient involvement including appropriate lifestyle changes and selective medications.
Tobin
Kenneth J
KJ
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Disease, University of Michigan Medical Center, Ann Arbor, MI, USA. kentobin@umich.edu
D000787:Angina Pectoris / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002637:Chest Pain / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000187:drug effects; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D018450:Disease Progression; D005080:Exercise Test; D005081:Exercise Therapy; D006801:Humans; D006937:Hypercholesterolemia / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D008019:Life Style; D024821:Metabolic Syndrome; D012307:Risk Factors; D016540:Smoking Cessation
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL