Cardiovascular risk factors

Atherosclerosis and its various clinical manifestations are now highly predictable and preventable diseases. Dyslipidemia appears to be a necessary cause, and hypertension and cigarette smoking are both powerful and modifiable contributing causes. Health professionals should incorporate cardiovascular risk assessment and risk factor modification within the context of their delivery of personal health services. Such services probably already have contributed to the decline of cardiovascular mortality, and the current levels of risk factors in the United States population indicate that substantial further reduction should be possibly by creating a smoke-free environment by the year 2000 and by implementing the recommendations of the National Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure Education Programs.