Cardiovascular disease: Tomorrow is the reason for today's therapeutics

The prevalence and magnitude of cardiovascular disease in the United States make it the leading cause of mortality, far surpassing deaths from all can cers. More than. 900, 000 Americans die each year from cardiovascular cause s, including stroke, hypertension, congestive heart failure, atherosclerosi s, and congenital heart defects, according to American Heart Association es timates. Coronary heart disease alone accounts for 50% of all cardiovascula r deaths. A host of agents designed to help manage cardiovascular disorders and related conditions (eg, hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolem ia) are available to physicians who treat patients at high risk. In this in terview, Jerome D. Cohen, MD, explains why more aggressive use of these dru g treatments today could significantly improve older patients' quality of L ife and reduce the risk of a disabling or fatal cardiovascular event in, th e next millennium.