[The medical practitioner facing arteriosclerotic vascular disease]

The results and validity of some of the latest and most significant epidemiological studies of the relation between risk factors and the clinical signs of arteriosclerosis are discussed, and the best rules for the prevention of arteriosclerotic vascular disease are suggested. Since primary prevention for the entire population is sound management, the practitioner should look for persons at risk, and initiate suitable hygienic, dietetic and, where necessary, pharmacological measures. This programme must not overlook secondary prevention, whose implementation demands the use of drugs (especially those that prevent the clumping of platelets). Under such conditions, ad is clear from the results of numerous multicentre studies, instigation of a multifactorial intervention has enabled the incidence of recurrences and mortality to be reduced.