Approach to Statin Use in 2016: an Update.

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Pharmacology
• Public Health

Background:

• Statin therapy is foundational for cholesterol management and widely prescribed in the USA.
• Established clinical benefits and favorable side effect profiles support statins for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease prevention.
• Recent dyslipidemia guidelines have broadened the population eligible for statin therapy.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review updated American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association and National Lipid Association guidelines on lipid treatment.
• To discuss factors beyond traditional risk assessment for refining treatment decisions.
• To summarize current statin options, their benefits, limitations, safety, and tolerability.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of current guidelines and recent evidence.
• Analysis of factors influencing statin eligibility and risk stratification.
• Synthesis of data on statin efficacy, safety, and tolerability.

Main Results:

• Updated guidelines emphasize shared decision-making and patient-centered care in lipid management.
• Factors beyond traditional risk assessment can refine statin therapy decisions.
• A comprehensive summary of available statins, their benefits, limitations, and safety profiles is presented.

Conclusions:

• Statin therapy remains crucial for cardiovascular disease prevention, with expanded indications.
• Personalized, patient-centered approaches are vital for optimal lipid management.
• Understanding the nuances of different statins and their safety is essential for effective clinical practice.