Strategies for the Secondary Prevention of Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease

Abstract

Patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), such as those with a history of MI or stroke, are at high risk for morbidity and mortality associated with future cardiovascular events. Ideal management of these patients requires a multifactorial strategy for risk factor mitigation and prevention of additional cardiovascular events. Traditional management of secondary prevention patients involves lipid-lowering with statins, blood pressure control, and anti-platelet treatment. Several additional targets have been identified to optimize the secondary prevention of ASCVD, such as further lipid control, inflammation management, lifestyle and weight optimization, strict diabetes control, use of β-blockers, use of renin–angiotensin–aldosterone system inhibitors, vaccinations, and additional considerations of anti-thrombotic therapies. This review will describe the interventions associated with these targets, as well as the relevant research and indications for these therapies.