[Lipids and cardiovascular diseases]

There are many evidences suggesting a direct relationship of hyperlipoproteinemia, particularly hypercholesterolemia, and coronary heart disease. Therefore, in this paper an up-to-date review of lipoprotein metabolism, the biochemical basis of atherogenic hyperlipoproteinemia and current concepts of etiology and pathogenesis of atherosclerosis are presented. A detailed explanation is given to what extent and why will reduction of blood cholesterol levels reduce the prevalence and severity of coronary heart disease as well as under what circumstances and at what level of blood cholesterol should dietary or drug treatment be started. Since diet is the cornerstone of therapy for hyperlipoproteinemia instructions concerning dietary treatment are given in details. If diet alone proves insufficient, drugs should be added to the regimen. A detailed review of all major forms of drug therapy is also given together with dosage and adverse effects of all hypolipidemic agents used until now.