Treatment of patients with lipid disorders in the primary care setting: new treatment guidelines and their implications.
Coronary heart disease (CHD) remains a major cause of morbidity and mortality throughout North America. The role played by lipid abnormalities is now well established, and primary care physicians can play a major role in reversing the increasing prevalence of CHD by following the recommended guidelines of the National Cholesterol Expert Panel (NCEP ATP-III). While many physicians are aware of the importance of lowering lipid levels, a large number of patients still fail to reach their treatment goals. It is therefore important to identify patients at risk of developing coronary events due to abnormal lipid profiles and to quickly implement effective prevention programs. Although diet and other lifestyle modifications should form the basis of lipid management, the addition of lipid-modifying drugs is often necessary. Several lipid-modifying agents are available, but the proven efficacy and good tolerability of statins has increasingly made them the drugs of choice.
Keenan
Joseph M
JM
Department of Family Practice and Community Health, School of Medicine, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455-0392, USA. jkeenan@famprac.umn.edu
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003327:Coronary Disease / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000628:therapy; D008019:Life Style; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D018570:Risk Assessment
D000924:Anticholesteremic Agents; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors