[Preventive cardiology: strategies in children]

The importance of preventive cardiology in youth has been established by several critical observations: there is evidence that the atherogenic process begins in childhood, and that the degree of atherogenesis is related to measurable risk factors present during childhood. The literature indicated that long-range prevention of atheroselerosis and its sequelae by control of those risk factors should begin in childhood. This article reviews the established risk factors, the identification of high-risk individuals, public health strategies for the promotion of health in the French Community of Belgium and treatment of high-risk individuals.