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• Americans Cut Risk Of Heart Disease Death In Half, Prevention Is Key 

By smoking less, watching their cholesterol and lowering their high blood pressure, Americans halved their risk of dying from coronary heart disease over the past 20 years, a new study shows.

While treating existing heart disease also helped reduce mortality rates, preventing heart disease from occurring in the first place made the biggest dent by far. . . .

Using data from 1980 through 2000, researchers found that the biggest difference in death rates was due to primary prevention: reducing risk factors among healthy individuals. Smaller impact came from secondary prevention measures such as drugs or surgery for people with heart disease.

The study appears online and in the September issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine.

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