Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in Patients Without Cardiovascular Risk Factors

The USPSTF found only a small benefit for behavioral counseling and recommends an individualized approach, depending on patient interest.

Sponsoring Organization: U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF)

Background

Because of the increasing prevalence of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and the known benefit of behavioral counseling about healthy diets and exercise programs for patients with CVD risk factors, the USPSTF updated its 2017 guideline for lifestyle counseling in adults without CVD risk factors (NEJM JW Gen Med Jul 25 2017; [e-pub] and JAMA 2017; 318:167).

Key Points

The Task Force found no direct evidence of benefit for diet and exercise counseling in lowering risk for CVD-related health outcomes.
They found evidence of only a small benefit in intermediate outcomes (e.g., lower blood pressure, more-favorable cholesterol profile) and in improving physical activity level…

Reviewing Author

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Thomas L. Schwenk, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsUpToDate

Promoting Healthy Lifestyles in Patients Without Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Topics

Background

Key Points

Reviewing Author