Managing multiple risk factors: a call to action

Abstract

With the exception of obesity, risk factors for cardiovascular disease rarely occur as single conditions. Because these multiple factors often act synergistically, causing a geometric increase in overall cardiovascular risk, it is essential that their recognition and management be a goal of comprehensive preventive care. Physicians must make every effort to implement strategies to maximize risk reduction, including modification of an individual's lifestyle, appropriate pharmacologic treatment when indicated, involvement of the family, the community, and the media, patient education, and ready access to support and health services.