BACKGROUND There is a marked underutilization of antiplatelet drugs, beta blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs), and lipid-lowering drugs, and an overutilization of calcium channel blockers in elderly patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). METHODS An ongoing educational program is being given by Dr. Wilbert Aronow on the appropr...

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is an autosomal dominant condition with a population prevalence of one in 300-500 (heterozygous) that is characterized by high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, tendon xanthomata, and premature atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease (CHD). FH is caused mainly by mutations in the LDLR gene. However, mutations in other genes including APOB...

An increasing number of studies have supported that high cholesterol is a risk factor for the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease ( AD ), including beta-amyloid peptides ( Aβ ) pathology. Clinical and biomolecular research studies have accumulated that statins, cholesterol-lowering drugs, could stave off the symptoms of AD and have seemed one of the most promising drugs in the war against AD. T...

BACKGROUND Stroke is associated with the development of cognitive impairment and dementia. We assessed the effect of intensive blood pressure (BP) and/or lipid lowering on cognitive outcomes in patients with recent stroke in a pilot trial. METHODS In a multicentre, partial-factorial trial, patients with recent stroke, absence of dementia, and systolic BP (SBP) 125-170 mmHg were assigned rando...

CONTEXT Knowledge of the trends and possible differences in the use of antihyperlipidemic medications in US patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) is vital in order to stimulate a positive change in the health of society. OBJECTIVE To assess, in the ambulatory setting, the frequency of antihyperlipidemic medication use in US patients with CHD. DESIGN Retrospective, national, cross-secti...

In this issue van Hout and Simoons describe a cost-effectiveness analysis of cardiovascular disease risk reduction by HMG coenzyme reductase inhibitors (statins). This exercise stems from the recommendations of the Netherlands Consensus Committee on Lipid Lowering. Costs of prescriptions and of major medical events (death, acute myocardial infarction, stroke, PTCA and CABG surgery) are consider...

BACKGROUND Lipid-lowering therapy is recommended for secondary prevention in people with coronary artery disease. It may also reduce cardiovascular events and/or local disease progression in people with lower limb peripheral arterial disease (PAD). OBJECTIVES To assess the effects of lipid-lowering therapy on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular events and local disease progression in patients...

OBJECTIVE To explore whether oral statin and other antihyperlipidemic medications are associated with open-angle glaucoma. METHODS The administrative clinical databases maintained at the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, Ala, were used to conduct a matched case-control study. Cases were all male patients aged 50 years and older with a new diagnosis of glaucoma on an outpatient or i...

OBJECTIVE To quantify absolute cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk and treatment in Australian adults. DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS Cross-sectional representative study of 9564 people aged 18 years or more who had participated in the 2011-12 Australian National Health Measures Survey (response rate for those aged 45-74 years: 46.5%). MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Prior CVD was ascertained and 5-year absolute...