NCEP Cholesterol Guidelines Revisited

On the heels of several recent trials, LDL targets for some patients are being reconsidered.

Sponsoring Organizations: Coordinating Committee of the National Cholesterol Education Program (endorsed by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute; the American College of Cardiology; and the American Heart Association)

Background and Purpose: Since the NCEP Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines were published (Journal Watch Cardiology Jun 15 2001), outcomes after use of cholesterol-lowering drugs have been studied in several major trials. This new report provides revised recommendations based on the new data. The proposed modifications reflect a more aggressive approach to cholesterol management, particularly in diabetes patients and other high-risk patients. (Some of the authors of this report have served as investigators on research…

Reviewing Author

JoAnne M. Foody, MD