[European guidelines on cardiovascular disease prevention. What has changed in 2012?]

The new European Guidelines on Cardiovascular Disease Prevention (version 2012) are supported by nine medical societies. They are newly structured, shorter and more readable. Each subchapter starts with key messages and recommendations are labeled with an evidence level. The subchapter ends with "most important newest information" and "persisting gaps of evidence" for further research. Smoking and passive smoking are to be avoided, even a small amount of regular physical activity is beneficial, the Mediterranean type diet is recommended and a body mass index (BMI) between 22 and 25 is associated with the lowest mortality. A blood pressure target of <140/90 mmHg is appropriate for the vast majority of hypertensive patients. Aspirin is not recommended for primary prevention even not for diabetics without vascular disease. Cardiovascular risk is now categorized into four levels: low (<1%), medium (1% to <5%), high (5% to <10%) and very high risk (≥10%). All patients with cardiovascular disease are in the very high risk group with the corresponding treatment goals, e. g. a low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol goal of <70 mg/dl (<1.8 mmol/l). Treatment adherence and behavioral changes can best be achieved by motivational interviews which demand some time. It is emphasized that the physician has the responsibility for clear recommendations in the discharge summaries after hospitalization and for offering help and feed back in the implementation phase of behavioral changes.