ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) is defined as the prevention of disease onset in patients who have no previous history of cardiovascular disease. This involves both preventing the development of risk factors before they occur, and modifying any cardiovascular risk factors that may already be present. Population studies have identified a number of risk factors that are associated with the development of CVD: • Age (men ≥45 years, women ≥55 years or postmenopausal). • Family history of premature coronary artery disease (CAD) in
first degree relatives (male <55 years, female <65 years). • Smoking. • Hypertension (blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg, or
>130/80 mmHg in patients with diabetes and/or chronic kidney disease.
