Addressing lipid treatment targets beyond cholesterol: a role for prescription omega-3 fatty acid therapy.
Decreasing very high triglyceride (TG) levels (>or=500 mg/dL) is recommended to prevent pancreatitis. Decreasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary lipid treatment target to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease. A secondary lipid treatment target for patients at LDL-C goal, but with persistent TG elevations, includes achievement of non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol goals (non-HDL-C). Statins are the mainstay of therapy to lower LDL-C, but statin monotherapy may not achieve all lipid treatment goals. Thus, in patients with multiple lipid abnormalities, combination lipid-altering therapy is often necessary. Drugs such as niacin and fibrates provide lipid benefits beyond LDL-C when used in combination with a statin. Prescription omega-3-fatty acids combined with statin therapy also provide improvements in lipid parameters beyond cholesterol alone.
Dall
Tara L
TL
Advanced Lipidology, Delafield, WI 53018, USA. earlydetection@advlip.com
Bays
Harold
H
D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000517:prevention & control*
D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3