Primary prevention of coronary heart disease.

Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) is the most common of all causes of death in Western Countries. Approximately 40% of the deaths in men aged 45–64 years are attributed to CHD, Although coronary care units and coronary by-pass surgery may have contributed to the quality of life in individual cases, it has generally been recognized that prevention only can reduce the great burden of mortality from coronary heart disease in our countries. Many studies conducted over the last 35 years or so have identified numerous risk factors; amongst them are high blood pressure, raised serum cholesterol, cigarette smoking, diabetes, obesity, sedentary life and positive family history. The first three are known as the major risk factors because of the stronger and more consistent association. However, it is difficult to reconcile with the widespread view that reduction in these risk factors will result in the prevention of the disease.