Coronary heart disease is a major challenge for preventive health care. Although there is profuse evidence linking several risk factors with an increased incidence of the disease, much of this evidence is inconclusive and sometimes contradictory. New evidence is constantly generated often to be refuted at a later date. Community nurses, therefore, need to be informed of current research evidence and assist consumers in the interpretation of new facts and modifying lifestyles as necessary. At the end of the day, health promotion is about making informed choices. There are no right and wrong answers--only probabilities.