[Epidemiology of atherosclerosis: risks and paradoxes].

Atherosclerosis is characterised by a wide range of clinical manifestations. Hypercholesterolaemia is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease, the correction of which with statins decreases the incidence of ischaemic events. Hypertension is a major risk for strokes. Prevention of coronary events by an action on the sole arterial blood pressure has been difficult to establish. Tobacco consumption is mainly involved in the risk of lower-limb arterial disease. Diabetes is a major and global enhancer of cardiovascular disease. Assessment of the other "emerging" risk factors (such as vitamin E deficiency, homocysteine, or the type of alcohol consumed) is still in progress. The level of classical risk factors only accounts for the variations between populations that are observed in the United States and in the Northern European countries.