Current possibilities for detecting high risk of cardiovascular disease

Current possibilities for better detecting high risk of coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke and peripheral arterial disease are described in this review. A first step is based on risk factors assessment that allows establishing high-risk diagnostic, either by detecting a condition termed as “CHD risk equivalent” and defined by one or more severe major risk factor, or by calculating multifactorial risk in asymptomatic subjects with a global risk score integrating several moderate risk factors. A second diagnostic step, concerning subjects not considered at high-risk by risk factors assessment, is based on non-invasive detection of sub clinical atherosclerosis via a wide variety of structural and functional arterial markers. A third step focuses on detection of myocardial ischemia that may add diagnostic and prognostic information in subjects with high CHD risk. The implementation of high-risk strategy is not yet standardized but it should allow improving cost-effectiveness of cardiovascular prevention, particularly in asymptomatic subjects.