Fig. 1.

CHD risk classification according to the ATP-III guidelins. Coronary heart disease risk equivalents include peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and carotid artery disease (i.e., transient ischemic attacks, stroke of carotid origin, or >50% obstruction), or diabetes mellitus. Risk factors include cigarette smoking, hypertension, low HDL-C (<40 mg/dL), family history of premature CHD, and age (men ≥45 years; women ≥55 years). CHD: coronary heart disease, ATP-III: Adult Treatment Panel III, HDL-C: high density lipoprotein-cholesterol.