Lipid-lowering therapy with statins for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) still ranks as the top cause of mortality worldwide. Lipid-modifying therapy has revolutionized the treatment of the disease and is partly responsible for the recent decline in deaths due to CVD. Treatment strategies have evolved since the introduction of the earlier lipid-lowering agents (fibrates, niacin, bile acid resins) to the advent of statins, which have become the standard drugs in cholesterol therapy. The strategy of using high-intensity statin therapy as the initial treatment approach in high-risk individuals, rather than focusing on specific cholesterol levels alone, remains a subject of debate.
Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, University of California-San Francisco (Fresno Medical Education Program), Fresno, CA 93701, USA.
Joel A
JA
Lardizabal
Prakash
P
Deedwania
D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008055:Lipids / Q000097:blood*; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D008055:Lipids