4. Cardiovascular Risk Factors and Peripheral Arterial Disease Question 1

Abstract

A 62-year-old man with intermittent claudication was referred for vascular risk factor modification. He had no history of myocardial infarction (MI) or stroke. He was smoking 20 cigarettes/day. His family history was negative for premature vascular events. He was not taking any medication. He was advised to start aspirin 75 mg/day, but he stopped taking these tablets because of "stomach discomfort". The patient's total cholesterol was 228 mg/dl (5.9 mmol/l). His blood pressure required treatment with amlodipine and a thiazide diuretic. The patient eventually stopped smoking after referral to the smoking cessation clinic in our hospital