[Modification of conventional risk factors in coronary artery disease]

The conventional cardiovascular risk factors such as smoking, hyperlipoproteinemia, arterial hypertension and diabetes are responsible for nearly 75% of myocardial infarction events. Since obesity is associated with a two- or threefold increased risk for arterial hypertension and diabetes, the reduction of body weight presents a basic and causal approach. Indeed 60% of the German population is overweight, and every fifth person has obesity. A low-calorie diet and higher quality nutrition as well as increased physical activity is the main therapeutic strategy. The maximum fat supply in a 1200 kcal/d diet should be less than 70 g. Training should be of low intensity, below the anaerobic threshold (50-70% of VO2max), in order to obtain optimal metabolic effect in combination with maximal fat reduction. Should the newly adopted lifestyle not result in a satisfactory loss of weight, medication can be applied in addition. Sibutramin (Reductil) or Orlistat (Xenical) can in individual cases be of help and lead to a further weight loss of up to 10%. It has been demonstrated that such weight loss can evoke the same positive effects of glucose metabolism in patients with impaired glucose tolerance as can metformin. Nevertheless, from a prognostic point of view, in patients with coronary artery disease and manifest diabetes, insulin therapy is required. Although arterial hypertension carries with it four times the risk of stroke and twice that of myocardial infarction, the majority of the population does not receive adequate treatment. Even after an acute cardiac event, in every second patient, an elevated blood pressure of > 140/90 mm Hg at the beginning of the rehabilitation period is found. In approximately 80% of the patients, a guideline-based therapy can be achieved during the follow-up phase. Comparable results apply to LDL-cholesterol patients as well. For patients with chronic coronary artery disease, it is highly important that medication and change in lifestyle be continued. Patients need to receive standardized information and ongoing medical care.