AHA/ACCF Guideline AHA/ACCF Secondary Prevention and Risk Reduction Therapy for Patients With Coronary and Other Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease: 2011 Update A Guideline From the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology Foundation Endorsed by the World Heart Federation and the Preventive Cardiovascular Nurses Association Sidney C. Smith, Jr, MD, FAHA, FACC, Chair; Emelia J. Benjamin, MD, ScM, FAHA, FACC; Robert O. Bonow, MD, FAHA, FACC; Lynne T. Braun, PhD, ANP, FAHA; Mark A. Creager, MD, FAHA, FACC; Barry A. Franklin, PhD, FAHA; Raymond J. Gibbons, MD, FAHA, FACC; Scott M. Grundy, MD, PhD, FAHA; Loren F. Hiratzka, MD, FAHA, FACC; Daniel W. Jones, MD, FAHA; Donald M. Lloyd-Jones, MD, ScM, FAHA, FACC; Margo Minissian, ACNP, AACC, FAHA; Lori Mosca, MD, PhD, MPH, FAHA; Eric D. Peterson, MD, MPH, FAHA, FACC; Ralph L. Sacco, MD, MS, FAHA; John Spertus, MD, MPH, FAHA, FACC; James H. Stein, MD, FAHA, FACC; Kathryn A. Taubert, PhD, FAHA Since the 2006 update of the American Heart Association (AHA)/American College of Cardiology Foundation (ACCF) guidelines on secondary prevention,1 important evi- dence from clinical trials has emerged that further supports and broadens the merits of intensive risk-reduction therapies for patients with established coronary and other atherosclerotic vascular disease, including peripheral artery disease, atheroscle- rotic aortic disease, and carotid artery disease. In reviewing this evidence and its clinical impact, the writing group believed it would be more appropriate to expand the title of this guideline to Secondary Prevention and Risk Reduction Therapy for Patients With Coronary and Other Atherosclerotic Vascular Disease. Indeed, the growing body of evidence confirms that in patients with atherosclerotic vascular disease, comprehensive risk factor management reduces risk as assessed by a variety of outcomes, including improved survival, reduced recurrent events, the need for revascularization procedures, and improved quality of life. 