Story md.com: Cardiovascular Continuum

The significance of the cardiovascular continuum is its emphasis on prevention. By treating risk factors that occur early in the cardiovascular continuum, like hypertension, diabetes, high blood fat levels, and smoking, it may be possible to prevent or slow the development of heart disease and to prolong life. These risk factors are in themselves rarely life threatening, but because they are usually without symptoms, it's important to be tested for them and to treat them through lifestyle changes and drug treatment.