A perspective on hyperlipidemia: concepts of management in the prevention of coronary artery disease

The clinical benefits of lowering elevated serum cholesterol for both primary and secondary prevention of coronary artery disease are now well established. Reduction in clinical events occurs early and appears to be related to stabilization of atherosclerotic plaque. Despite these salutary findings, lipid-lowering therapy, both nondrug and pharmacologic, is still markedly underutilized in patients and high-risk individuals in the asymptomatic population. Recent practical and uncomplicated guidelines present a rational strategy for selection of patients for low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol reduction and have the potential to yield major clinical benefits if properly implemented. Preventive cardiology measures should be applied by matching the intensity of the intervention to the hazard for clinical events. We support the current guidelines of the expert panels described in this article and propose several extensions for cholesterol lowering in selected, high-risk populations.