Related Experiment Video

Updated: Mar 24, 2026

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
09:15

Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles

Published on: November 10, 2017

15.2K

Counterpoint: Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Targets Are Not Needed in Lipid Treatment Guidelines

Jennifer G Robinson1, Kausik Ray2

  • 1From the Department of Epidemiology, College of Public Health, University of Iowa, Iowa City (J.G.R.); and Department of Primary Care & Public Health, Imperial College London, London, United Kingdom (K.R.). jennifer-g-robinson@uiowa.edu.

Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology
|March 19, 2016
PubMed

Insights

Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) treat-to-goal strategies may not be optimal for preventing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). An individualized risk approach and LDL-C thresholds can guide therapy decisions for patients.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiology
  • Lipidology
  • Preventive Medicine

Background:

  • Current lipid-modifying therapy guidelines often use "treat-to-goal" approaches for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) prevention.
  • Accumulating evidence suggests these fixed targets may not be the most effective strategy for all patients.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the limitations of "treat-to-goal" LDL-C management in ASCVD prevention.
  • To explore the potential benefits of individualized, risk-based approaches and LDL-C thresholds for optimizing lipid-lowering therapy.

Main Methods:

  • Review of current evidence on lipid-modifying therapies and ASCVD prevention.
  • Analysis of the role of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets versus thresholds in clinical decision-making.
  • Discussion of the need for enhanced cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk estimation tools.

Main Results:

  • "Treat-to-goal" strategies for LDL-C may be suboptimal for optimizing lipid-modifying therapy.
  • Individualized approaches focusing on net ASCVD risk reduction may offer greater benefits.
  • LDL-C thresholds, rather than fixed targets, could help identify patients needing further LDL-C lowering.

Conclusions:

  • A shift from "treat-to-goal" to a more personalized, risk-based approach is warranted for ASCVD prevention.
  • Development of advanced risk estimation tools is crucial for personalized CVD risk assessment in statin-treated patients.
  • Utilizing LDL-C thresholds can guide decisions regarding additional lipid-lowering therapies beyond statins.
Keywords:
LDL cholesterolatherosclerosischolesterolgoalspatient preference

More Related Videos

LDL Cholesterol Uptake Assay Using Live Cell Imaging Analysis with Cell Health Monitoring08:45

LDL Cholesterol Uptake Assay Using Live Cell Imaging Analysis with Cell Health Monitoring

Published on: November 17, 2018

14.2K
Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein07:29

Cell-free Biochemical Fluorometric Enzymatic Assay for High-throughput Measurement of Lipid Peroxidation in High Density Lipoprotein

Published on: October 12, 2017

9.8K

Related Concept Videos

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile01:25

Blood Studies for Cardiovascular System III: Serum Lipid Profile

Understanding serum lipids is crucial for maintaining cardiovascular health and preventing heart disease and stroke.
Serum lipids are fats and fatty substances in the blood and are crucial for various bodily functions, including energy storage, cellular structure, and hormone production. Serum lipids consist of cholesterol, triglycerides, and phospholipids.
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in all body cells. It is crucial for producing hormones, vitamin D, and substances that aid...
793
Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements01:18

Lipids: Dietary Sources and Requirements

Lipids are an essential component of a balanced human diet. Triglycerides, which make up the majority of dietary lipids, are found in both saturated fats—commonly present in meat, dairy products, and certain tropical plants like coconut, and hydrogenated oils such as margarine and baking shortenings (trans fats)—and unsaturated fats, which are abundant in seeds, nuts, olive oil, and most vegetable oils. The main sources of cholesterol include egg yolks, various meats and organ...
2.6K
Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents01:20

Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents

Hyperlipidemia, a medical condition often referred to as high cholesterol, is characterized by abnormally elevated levels of lipids in the bloodstream. When present in excess, these lipids, specifically cholesterol and triglycerides, can lead to serious health complications, often involving cardiovascular diseases. Illnesses like atherosclerosis, heart attacks, and pancreatitis have all been linked to untreated hyperlipidemia. This means controlling and regulating cholesterol and triglyceride...
1.8K
Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures01:26

Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures

Effective preventive measures for coronary artery disease (CAD) focus on controlling modifiable risk factors, including cholesterol abnormalities and lifestyle changes.Cholesterol ManagementFirst, the Mediterranean diet and the American Heart Association advocate for maintaining low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels below 100 mg/dL, with a more stringent recommendation of below 70 mg/dL for individuals at high risk. LDL cholesterol, often termed "bad cholesterol," can lead to the...
837
Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation01:29

Cholesterol: Significance and Regulation

Although not a source of energy, cholesterol plays a significant role as a foundational structure for bile salts, steroid hormones, and vitamin D, as well as being a crucial component of plasma membranes. Approximately 15% of blood cholesterol is derived from our diet, with the remainder synthesized from acetyl CoA by the liver and intestines. Cholesterol is eliminated from the body through its conversion into bile salts, which are eventually discarded in the feces.
Considering cholesterol and...
1.9K
Atherosclerosis III: Management01:26

Atherosclerosis III: Management

Management of atherosclerosis involves an integrated strategy encompassing pharmacological treatment, surgical interventions, lifestyle changes, and nutrition therapy to address the multifactorial nature of the disease.Pharmacological TherapyA cornerstone of atherosclerosis management is the use of pharmacological agents. Statins, such as atorvastatin, are pivotal in inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, an enzyme that catalyzes an initial step in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. This reduction in...
576