[ANMCO Position paper: Primary cardiovascular prevention]

Preventing the development and progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease is a challenge that is part of the mission of many clinicians, particularly those working in cardiology. Given the demonstrated cumulative effect of risk factors, early recognition of these factors and the implementation of both pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions allows for more effective prevention of cardiovascular events. The purpose of this ANMCO position paper is to guide clinicians in the early identification of conditions that increase the risk of developing cardiovascular events and to provide guidance on the most appropriate interventions. The paper briefly reviews the evidence supporting the cumulative impact of traditional risk factors over time. The role of risk stratification tools such as SCORE2, SCORE2-OP, and SCORE2-Diabetes, as well as emerging biomarkers, is discussed. For risk factors such as hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes, the recommended targets and current therapeutic options are illustrated. The pharmacological interventions currently available for managing obesity-associated cardiovascular risk and the indications for antiplatelet treatment in the context of primary prevention are also discussed. Overall, early diagnosis and primary prevention are the foundation of an efficient and economically sustainable healthcare system.