[Prevention of coronary artery disease]

Coronary artery disease is still the leading cause of premature death, reduction in physical work capacity and diminished quality of life in western civilizations. Given the fact that coronary artery disease is a preventable disease in most of the cases, its prevalence remains unacceptably high. Consequent application of preventive recommendations with regards to life-style aspects like tobacco use, nutrition, overweight and physical activity could help to reduce the prevalence of atherosclerotic diseases by half. Aim of this review is to focus the reader's attention to the most important risk factors, their influence on progression of atherosclerotic lesions and ways to reduce risk factor burden.