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New guidelines for managing hypercholesterolemia.
1School of Pharmacy, Medical College of Virginia, Virginia Commonwealth University, and National Clinical Research, Richmond 23294, USA. jmckenney@ncrinc.net
Journal of the American Pharmaceutical Association (Washington, D.C. : 1996)
|August 7, 2001
Summary
Pharmacists can improve hyperlipidemia management by applying the National Cholesterol Education Program
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Pharmacology
- Public Health
Background:
- Hypercholesterolemia management guidelines are crucial for reducing coronary heart disease (CHD) risks.
- The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) provides updated recommendations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To summarize the NCEP ATP III guidelines for pharmacists.
- To outline a practical approach for pharmacists in managing hypercholesterolemia.
Main Methods:
- Review of the NCEP ATP III executive summary.
- Inclusion of pertinent literature identified by the author.
Main Results:
- ATP III emphasizes lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to <100 mg/dL and managing high triglycerides (>200 mg/dL).
- Guidelines highlight identifying patients at high risk for CHD events.
- A six-step process is recommended for pharmacists: lipid profile assessment, CHD risk categorization, goal setting, lifestyle changes, LDL-C lowering therapy, and consideration of other lipid factors.
Conclusions:
- Many patients discontinue lipid-lowering therapy within a year, with low goal attainment rates.
- NCEP ATP III guidelines offer pharmacists an opportunity to enhance pharmaceutical care for hyperlipidemia patients.