Achieving lipid targets in primary care settings

Abstract

Achieving low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) goals in clinical practice is still unsatisfactory. Furthermore, a significant residual risk remains, even after reaching LDL-C targets, in terms of both fasting and postprandial triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (quantity and quality) and small dense LDL particles. Statins are the first choice for treating lipid abnormalities. Other lipid-lowering agents can be administered when statins are not tolerated and if LDL-C targets are not reached. Furthermore, multifactorial treatment, including a statin, exerts several beneficial effects on cardiovascular and residual risk reduction. The role of novel developing lipid therapies in clinical practice remains to be established.

Keywords::

• High-density lipoprotein cholesterol
• Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
• Multifactorial treatment
• Small dense low-density lipoprotein cholesterol
• Statins
• Triglycerides

Transparency

Declaration of funding

This editorial was written independently; no company or institution supported it financially. No professional writer was involved.

Declaration of financial/other relationships

V.G.A. has disclosed that he is a member of CMRO s International Advisory Board but has no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies related to this study or article. N.K. and A.K. have disclosed that they have no significant relationships with or financial interests in any commercial companies related to this study or article.

V.G.A. has nothing to declare. N.K. and A.K. have disclosed that they have given talks, attended conferences and participated in trials and advisory boards sponsored by various pharmaceutical companies in the past. N.K. has disclosed that she has attended conferences, received honoraria and participated in trials sponsored by Novartis, Novo Nordisk, Pfizer, MSD and WinMedica. A.K. has disclosed that he has given talks and attended conferences sponsored by Pfizer, Astra-Zeneca, Menarini and Novartis.