OpenLB
Open Library of Bioscience

The primary dyslipidemias are associated with an increased incidence of atherosclerotic vascular disease in coronary, cerebral, and peripheral vessels. If nonpharmacologic therapy, such as dietary changes and aerobic exercise, fails to achieve the therapeutic goal levels for serum low-density lipoprotein Cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) Cholesterol, and triglycerides suggested by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel, pharmacologic intervention is indicated. The choice of the class of lipid-lowering drug(s) for initial therapy and subsequent therapy depends on the nature of the dyslipidemia, e.g., hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, suppressed HDL Cholesterol levels, or combinations of these disturbances in lipid metabolism. Appropriate therapy with the highly efficacious agents currently available significantly reduces the associated morbidity and mortality related to atherosclerosis. The clinical applications of these classes of agents are discussed here.