Comprehensive clinical assessment of modifiable cardiometabolic risk factors

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Some of the risk factors for CVD are unmodifiable such as male gender, family history, race, and increasing age. There are, however, several modifiable risk factors for CVD, including tobacco use, hypertension, obesity, diabetes, physical inactivity, and dyslipidemia. Patients' overall or global risk of CVD, which takes into account the presence or absence of both modifiable and unmodifiable risk factors, should be determined periodically. Patients found to be at increased risk due to the presence of modifiable risk factors should be counseled on how to make lifestyle changes and thereby decrease their risk of developing CVD. Weight loss and increased physical activity have a positive effect on most of the modifiable risk factors. Some patients, however, will also require pharmaco-therapy to address such risk factors as hypertension, obesity, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.