Primary Prevention of Cardiovascular Disease: Educational Lecture by a Cardiologist
We continue our educational initiative for medical professionals — a lecture series delivered by experts from the Center of Cardiac Surgery at St. Petersburg State University, dedicated to current challenges in modern cardiology.
As part of the program, an educational lecture was delivered by cardiologist Lyubov A. Tereshchenko from the outpatient cardiology department, focusing on key aspects of primary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
In her presentation, the speaker provided a detailed overview of dyslipidemia — a disorder of lipid metabolism characterized by abnormal cholesterol levels and lipoprotein fractions — as a major risk factor for atherosclerosis and coronary artery disease. Particular emphasis was placed on modern approaches to cardiovascular risk assessment based on current scientific evidence and clinical guidelines.
The lecture covered:
- The Lancet 2025 Commission concept of rethinking coronary artery disease, shifting the focus from ischemia to atherosclerotic plaque;
- Epidemiology of dyslipidemia in the Russian Federation and trends in coronary heart disease and ischemic stroke prevalence;
- Cardiovascular risk stratification criteria;
- Lipid profile parameters, including LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, lipoprotein(a), and non-HDL cholesterol;
- The role of imaging techniques, including coronary artery calcium scoring, in risk assessment;
- Modern trends in lipidology and updated ESC/EAS dyslipidemia guidelines for 2025;
- The clinical significance of ECG and echocardiography in patients with lipid disorders;
- Dietary factors, omega-3 fatty acids, and their evidence base in atherosclerosis prevention;
- The role of ezetimibe, antiplatelet agents, and anticoagulants in primary prevention;
- Practical clinical considerations related to hormone replacement therapy and incidental vascular calcifications detected on mammography.
The lecture was practice-oriented and aimed at clinicians involved in cardiovascular risk assessment, prevention, and early detection. The presented material helps clinicians refine evidence-based strategies for individualized primary prevention and long-term cardiovascular risk reduction.