By Kristian Dye

Frates and Crane report a case that is a little unusual among case reports. The patient had no weird or wonderful signs or symptoms. She had no particular pathology. She was not unwell. Her presentation was all about lifestyle, risk, and the case is all about modification of that risk. 

The patient in this case is an archetype for many patients seen in primary care. She is overweight, has elevated lipids, has a sedentary lifestyle and has a family history of stroke.

For me, this only really poses two questions:

1. What was different in this case to those who we can convince of the value of risk modification, but who are unable to achieve it?
2. How can we achieve these kinds of results for more of our patients?

Answering these questions could reduce morbidity and premature mortality among our populations much more radically than more glamourous, cutting-edge interventions.