LDL-CHOLESTEROL REDUCTION GUIDE
Step One: Count the number of risk factors
Major Risk Factors for Coronary Artery Disease
- Cigarette smoking
- Hypertension (BP > 140/90 mmHg or on antihypertensive medication)
- Low HDL-cholesterol < 1 mmol/L (<40mg/dL)
- Family history of premature CHD
- CHD in male first-degree relative < 55 years
- CHD in female first-degree relative < 65 years
- Age (men > 45 years; women > 55 years)
NOTE: Diabetes is regarded as a coronary heart disease (CHD) risk equivalent.
Step Two: Determine appropriate LDL target
- CHD or CHD risk equivalents
- 10 year risk is 20%
- LDL target level - less than 2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL)
- Two or more Risk Factors
- 10 year risk is < 20%
- LDL target level - less than 3.4 mmol/L (130 mg/dL)
- 0 - 1 Risk Factor
- LDL target level - less than 4.1 mmol/L (160 mg/dL)
Step Three: Choose appropriate medication
- The medication of choice for LDL reduction is statin
