At present the management of atherosclerosis is still based on the control of risk factors. The role of the general practitioner is very important in this setting and, therefore, we thought it would be useful to know the opinion on the subject of these physicians in our area. In order to find that out, we have polled by mail 286 physicians and have received an answer from 111. The largest number (91%) considered that the most frequent cause of death were cardiovascular diseases. In relation to coronary heart disease, hypercholesterolemia was considered to be the most important risk factor (65%), followed by arterial hypertension (14%). On the other hand arterial hypertension was considered to be the most important risk factor for cerebrovascular disease. There was agreement on low animal fat diet as the initial step in the management of the patient with hypercholesterolemia. Among the fats, olive oil is recommended more than other vegetable oils (64%). Fish was considered as an appropriate for these patients than blue fish, still persist. Seventy two per cent prescribe dietary treatment when total serum cholesterol levels are above 221 mg/dl. Eighty three per cent prescribe drug treatment when serum cholesterol levels are above 251 mg/dl. Fibrates are still the drugs mostly used with a low level of use of resins in our area.