Cardiovascular risk: Components, evaluation and preventative interventions

Abstract

This article seeks to revise the aspects related to the risk factors, evaluation methods and intervention policy involved in primary and secondary prevention in cardiovascular disease (CVD). The aim of the review was to systematise the concepts from a pharmaceutical perspective, in order to be able to set and achieve therapeutic objectives in interventions in patients presenting cardiovascular risk factors. Numerous methods of calculating CVR have been proposed. These can indicate the probability, within up to 10 years, of suffering from some kind of CVD. Such methods allow the population to be stratified into risk groups, which enable the optimisation and the prioritisation of the courses of action to be taken. In Spain, there are a number of current evaluation models that do not reflect the advances and adjustments made to the characteristics of its population. The studies carried out show the importance and the positive impact that preventative therapeutic interventions have had on CVR, but also explore some of the difficulties involved in the achievement of the objectives sought. The pharmacist's participation in the control of patients presenting risk factors or CVD is necessary and can produce beneficial effects in health, especially with the pharmacist's involvement in the design of programs for the general population, aimed at promoting healthy lifestyles and the use of safe and effective therapeutic interventions.