title: Cardiovascular risk in patients without known cardiovascular disease.
abstract: Understanding the risks of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD) allows for better patient education and management. Multiple risk models have been validated in large patient populations and provide insights into the risks associated with CVD. When assessing such risks, we suggest using a model that predicts myocardial infarction, cardiovascular death, and/or cerebrovascular events. In this review, we analyze several risk models and stratify the risks associated with CVD. We suggest that appropriate profiling of patients at-risk of CVD will lead to better physician recognition and treatment of modifiable risk factors, appropriate application of ATP III treatment for hyperlipidemia, and achieving optimal blood pressure control.
authors.affiliation: Respiratory Unit, Department of Internal Medicine, Regional Hospital, Aosta, Italy, and DIMI, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. patriarca125@tiscali.it  
authors.forename: R G
authors.initials: RG
authors.lastname: Carbone
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Algahim
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rizzo
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Monselise
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Dart
authors.forename: G H
authors.initials: GH
authors.lastname: Almassi
authors.forename: D D
authors.initials: DD
authors.lastname: Gutterman
mesh_terms: D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012307:Risk Factors