[Stratification of coronary risk].

Coronary atheroselerosis constitutes the fifth leading cause of global disease burden and the leading cause in developed societies. Coronary artery disease is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the, United States, Western industrialized societies; in our country, it has become a real health problem. Compelling epidemiologic and clinical data have demonstrated that elevated total cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and diabetes mellitus correlate with increasing coronary artery disease mortality. Risk factors modification in the general public and persons at high risk offers the best opportunity for effectively reducing the prevalence of coronary heart disease.