[Family screening of patients with premature coronary artery disease: opportunities and challenges of cardiovascular health in the 21st century].

: A positive family history of premature coronary heart disease is a strong and independent risk factor for relatives and its effect is synergistic with other traditional and not traditional risk factors. It is well documented a familial aggregation of premature coronary heart disease particularly related to family clustering of several cardiovascular risk factors. The screening and the identification, by a comprehensive cardiovascular risk factor assessment, of high-risk relatives of patients with premature coronary artery disease by cardiologists and general practitioners is crucial. A family-centered approach to the prevention of coronary artery disease represents an opportunity and a challenge for promoting cardiovascular health in the 21st century.