CVD Primary Prevention

2019 ACC/AHA Guideline on Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Part 1, Lifestyle and Behavioral Factors Download PDF

Developers: American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association

Release date: March 17, 2019 (online)

Funding sources: American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association

Target population: Adults 18 years and older who are free of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Major recommendations:

• Team-based care is an effective approach for the primary prevention of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
• Social determinants of health should be incorporated into shared decision-making to optimize preventive care.
• Individuals should consume a healthy diet that emphasizes the intake of vegetables, fruits, nuts, whole grains, and fish.
• Individuals should engage in at least 150 minutes per week of accumulated moderate-intensity physical activity or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity physical activity.
• Health care professionals should identify individuals with overweight or obesity and provide counseling and comprehensive lifestyle interventions, including caloric restriction, to achieve and maintain weight loss.
• All adults should be assessed at every health care visit for tobacco use, and those who use tobacco should be assisted and strongly advised to quit.