High cholesterol secondary prevention
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kashish Goel, M.D.
Overview
Patients with [coronary heart disease] or newly diagnosed [acute coronary syndrome] are at a high risk of recurrent coronary events. In addition to modification of lifestyle factors, LDL lowering has been shown to reduce recurrent events, cardiovascular deaths and all-cause mortality in these patients. According to the [NCEP ATP III guidelines], LDL cholesterol of < 100 mg/dL is the goal in patients with CHD and CHD risk equivalents. However, some of the recent trial evidence suggested a more aggressive approach with a target LDL < 70 mg/dL. The NCEP recommendations are mentioned here, in addition to recent evidence.