Table 2.

Three risk groups of patients with cardiovascular disease according to the “Second Princeton Consensus Panel” (Kostis 2005; see also DeBusk 2000)

1. Low risk group

Patients with

Two or less atherogenic risk factors, asymtomatic Medically controlled hypertension with ≥1 antihypertensive drug mild, stable angina (consider exercise test in some cases) after successful coronary revascularization (without remaining ischemia) after uncomplicated myocardial infarction (>6–8 weeks) mild valvular disease Left ventricular dysfunction: New York Heart Association I

2. Intermediate or indetermined risk group

Patients with

Three or more atherogenic risk factors, asymptomatic moderate, stable angina myocardial infarction (2–6 weeks after the acute event) congestive heart failure: New York Heart Association II non-cardiac sequelae of atherosclerotic disease (stroke, transient ischemic attack, peripheral vascular disease)

3. High risk group

Patients with

unstable angina/refractory angina untreated, poorly controlled, accelerated, or malignant hypertension congestive heart failure (New York Heart Association III–IV) myocardial infarction (within the last 2 weeks) recent stroke moderate to severe valvular heart disease, particularly aortic stenosis or hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy high risk arrhythmia