Risk Factors for Aneurysms and Peripheral Arterial Disease: Combining Apples and Oranges?

Standard modifiable cardiovascular risk factors (SMuRFs), including diabetes, hypercholesterolaemia, hypertension, and smoking, have been recognised as important risk factors in coronary artery disease (CAD),1 control of which has offered major improvements in the prevention and treatment of CAD.2 The study by Golledge et al. evaluated the relationship between SMuRFs and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and aneurysm.3 The authors should be congratulated for the recruitment of more than 2 000 patients from Australian vascular clinics.