This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of subjects with a previous history of atherothrombotic disease (myocardial infarction, ischemic stroke and/or lower limb arterial disease) among patients treated in general medicine. A random sample of 3,009 French general practitioners was recruited. Patients who consulted one of these general practitioners on December 7th 2000 were included. Those with a previous history of atherothrombotic disease were identified and further data on their cardiovascular risk factors and drug use were collected. The prevalence of patients with a previous history of atherothrombotic disease was 2% [95% confidence interval: 1.9-2-1] in subjects younger than 65, 13.4% [12.7-14.2] between 65 and 74 and 17.0% [16.2-17.8] in subjects older than 74. Arterial hypertension was found in 62.2% of the patients with a previous history of atherothrombotic disease, overweight or obesity in 59.4%, hypercholesterolaemia in 55%, current or past smoking in 48.3%, and diabetes mellitus in 20.1%. The last blood pressure and LDL-cholesterol measurements were respectively higher than or equal to 140/90 mmHg and 3 mmol/l in 70.6% of the patients suffering from arterial hypertension (missing data in 2.2%) and in 48.2% of the patients suffering from hypercholesterolaemia (missing data in 31.4%). Atherothrombosis represents a significant part of the primary care activity in France. Despite a widespread antihypertensive and hypocholesterolaemic drug prescription, the control of cardiovascular risk factors is insufficient. The high prevalence of overweight may contribute to this poor control.