LAUSR

For all CVD risk levels, the NVDPA guidelines recommend risk factor modification, including lifestyle interventions— such as smoking cessation, weight loss and increased physical activity—where appropriate. Our article focused on people at high absolute risk of CVD, including those who have existing CVD and those found to be at high primary risk at assessment (ie, > 15% 5-year probability of a CVD event). These patients’ very high riskmeans that we need to offer everything possible to prevent future CVD events, and lifestyle intervention alone is insufficient.Hence, as mentioned in our article: “The 2012 NVDPA guidelines recommend combination treatment with BP[blood pressure] and lipid-lowering medications unless contraindicated or clinically inappropriate, together with lifestyle advice, for those with a 5-year primary CVD risk of more than 15%”.