title: Achieving cholesterol targets: how well are we doing?
abstract: Elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are a modifiable risk factor for the development of coronary heart disease (CHD), the leading cause of death in the United States. Treatments to lower these levels help decrease the risk of CHD events and reduce mortality rates in patients with existing CHD and those with no history of CHD. Rates of screening and treatment for high cholesterol levels have improved somewhat in recent years, but there is still room for substantial improvement, especially in patients at high risk of CHD, who benefit most from aggressive LDL-C-lowering therapies. The American Osteopathic Association Clinical Assessment Program, a Web-based program that measures physician performance by analyzing data abstracted from patient medical records and helps guide treatment decisions, is a tool to help physicians improve outcomes in patients with elevated LDL-C levels.
authors: Lovelace Health Plan, 4101 Indian School Rd NE, Albuquerque, NM 87110, USA. john.cruickshank@lovelace.com
authors: John M
authors: JM
authors: Cruickshank