Preventive Cardiology

The Framingham Risk Score has been endorsed by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) to assess the 10-year risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). Updated evidence-based guidelines may also include lifetime CHD risk and/or the integration of other factors associated with increased risk (i.e., chronic renal insufficiency). The field of preventive cardiology continues to evolve as the prevalence of CHD risk factors in the population change. In this day and age when obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus have become epidemic, never has the need for identifying areas for CHD prevention been greater. This chapter will highlight results of recently completed clinical trials and the associated advances made toward reducing primary and secondary CHD risk.