BMJ  2007;335:481-485 (8 September), doi:10.1136/bmj.39253.577859.BE

Analysis

Families of patients with premature coronary heart disease: an obvious but neglected target for primary prevention

¹ BHF Glasgow Cardiovascular Research Centre, University of Glasgow, Glasgow G12 8TA, ² Monklands Hospital, Airdrie, ³ Robertson Centre for Biostatistics, University of Glasgow

Risk of premature coronary heart disease is increased in the families of affected patients. C K Chow and colleagues argue that targeting relatives for primary prevention would be an effective policy

The first 150 words of the full text of this article appear below.

Prevention of coronary heart disease is most effective if targeted at people with high overall risk First degree relatives of patients with premature myocardial infarction have double the risk of the condition In the UK, about 20% of all admissions for myocardial infarction occur in patients with premature myocardial infarction More than a third of admissions for premature myocardial infarction could be prevented by screening and treating first degree relatives

First degree relatives of patients with premature coronary heart disease are at increased risk of the disease. Compared with the general population, siblings have at least double the risk, because of shared lifestyle risk factors and genetic predisposition. Offspring and partners are also at increased risk. Relatives have an increased prevalence of modifiable risk factors including hypertension, dyslipidaemia, and smoking. Some guidelines recommend screening of relatives, but surveys indicate that this does not occur in practice. We propose that first . . . [Full text of this article]

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