Running interference to lower cholesterol

摘要

Clinical endpoint studies show that lowering of LDL cholesterol reduces atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease and improves outcomes. Despite the effectiveness of statins in reducing LDL cholesterol, individuals treated with statins remain at substantial residual risk of coronary heart disease. Many individuals at risk of coronary heart disease, predominantly those with high baseline LDL cholesterol and those with intolerable side-effects, do not achieve optimum LDL cholesterol targets as recommended by international guidelines with statin treatment.