Guidelines on Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol

Abstract

In 2013, the American College of Cardiology and the American Heart Association jointly has brought out a new set of guidelines on treatment of high blood cholesterol. These guidelines suggest practices that meet the patients’ need, but are not a substitute for proper clinical assessment and decision making. The ultimate decision regarding the treatment of the patient rests with the healthcare provider and the patient. All the guidelines are based on the results of multiple randomized clinical trials that are well designed and well executed and done in the past few years which have shown substantial benefit to patients. These data have been used to identify the patients who are most likely to benefit from cholesterol lowering statin therapy. The present guidelines address the treatment of adults ≥ 21 years of age. It is presumed that these recommendations will benefit both primary care physicians and specialists who are involved in the prevention of ASCVD.