Therapeutic Options: Lifestyle Measures and Pharmacological Approaches

Abstract

Preventing cardiovascular disease by lifestyle and therapeutic intervention is a broad topic, which encompasses an enormous amount of published research. This chapter shall focus largely on the primary prevention of atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis. Although frequently confused, these are in reality distinct disorders, differing in their underlying pathophysiology. As such preventative therapeutic strategies are likely to differ. AtherosclerosisThe main risks factors for atherosclerotic disease have been fi rmly established by a wealth of research over the last 60 years. These include smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidaemia and diabetes mellitus, each of which can be addressed by both lifestyle and pharmacological interventions. LifestyleModifi cation of the major lifestyle risk factors is potentially a very powerful form of intervention, which can benefi t a substantial proportion of the population. However, there are signifi cant challenges in implementation at an individual level,