Heart disease affects one in six Australians with an AMI occurring every 10 minutes and accounts for one in four of all deaths, so primary and secondary prevention are very important considerations in relation to any patient presenting with heart disease or at risk of heart disease. Risk factors including family history, lipid abnormalities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking or those with elevated BMI all need consideration. Whilst there have been significant controversies regarding lipids management and the use of statins, the evidence for their use, particularly in secondary prevention of heart disease is clear.

Heart disease affects one in six Australians with an AMI occurring every 10 minutes and accounts for one in four of all deaths, so primary and secondary prevention are very important considerations in relation to any patient presenting with heart disease or at risk of heart disease. Risk factors including family history, lipid abnormalities, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, smoking or those with elevated BMI all need consideration. Whilst there have been significant controversies regarding lipids management and the use of statins, the evidence for their use, particularly in secondary prevention of heart disease is clear.