A critical review of adult health maintenance. Part 1: Prevention of atherosclerotic diseases.

This is the first paper in a four-part series that presents an updated protocol for selective longitudinal health maintenance of asymptomatic adults. Five conditions related to atherosclerotic diseases are reviewed with reference to six generally accepted screening criteria. A recommendation is made for each condition and is compared, when appropriate, with the recommendations of the Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination. In the fourth paper, the recommendations will be combined into a practical health maintenance flow sheet for use by primary care physicians.