Therapeutic lifestyle changes for cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, coronary artery disease, and heart failure, is common in the general US population. The mainstay of treatment for this cohort is implementing therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLCs). Therapeutic lifestyle changes include a reduced-sodium diet, the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, weight loss, moderation of alcohol consumption, and increased aerobic exercise. It is important to emphasize that exercise should be recommended to all patients, even for those who historically were told not do so, such as those with heart failure. When prescribing harmacotherapy, physical activity should be taken into account. Athletes competing at the top level warrant adherence to the restrictions of the World Anti-Doping Agency.