Cost implications of new evidence on prevention of cardiovascular disease

Abstract

Due to the high morbidity, mortality and medical costs associated with cardiovascular diseases, the efficiency of western healthcare economies as a whole depends largely on the cost effectiveness of cardiovascular disease preventive interventions. In this review, the cost implications of new evidence relating to the treatment of cardiovascular disease risk factors are examined. In patients with hypertension, low-dose diuretics have been proven to be both the most effective and least costly first-line therapy. Recent data support more aggressive use of antihypertensive and lipid-lowering therapies in patients with myocardial infarction and other high-risk individuals such as diabetics. The use of behavioral and pharmacologic smoking cessation interventions and emerging screening or diagnostic approaches such as C-reactive protein testing and coronary calcium scanning are also discussed.

Keywords::

• cardiovascular disease
• cost implications