Secondary prevention, i.e. nonsmoking, exercise, weight control, correct nutrition and drugs affecting the prognosis, constitute the basis for the treatment of stable coronary artery disease. The most important drug affecting the prognosis is acetylsalicylic acid. Statin medication can be reduced on the basis of adverse effects only. Angiotensin convertase inhibitor medication is often forgotten in coronary artery disease patients who have undergone cardiac infarction or a temporary stage of cardiac insufficiency. Long-acting nitrate is not the first-line antianginal treatment, beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers being recommended instead.