Related Experiment Video
Updated: Nov 17, 2025
Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
Hypercholesterolemia and cardiovascular disease: What to do before initiating pharmacological therapy
Bernhard Föger1, Catriona Jennings2, Angela Pirillo3
1Department of Internal Medicine, Rottal-Inn Klinik Pfarrkirchen, Germany.
Insights
Lifestyle interventions and functional foods can help manage cardiovascular disease risk factors, especially for those with moderate hypercholesterolemia not requiring medication. These strategies reduce cardiovascular events and the need for drugs.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Preventive Medicine
- Nutritional Science
Background:
- Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of death and disability despite advances in lipid-lowering drugs.
- Reducing cardiovascular risk factors through lifestyle modifications is crucial for preventing cardiovascular events.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the role of lifestyle interventions and nutraceuticals in managing cardiovascular risk.
- To assess the benefits of functional foods for individuals with low-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia.
Main Methods:
- Review of current guidelines and population studies on lifestyle interventions.
- Analysis of the potential role of functional foods and nutraceuticals as adjuncts to lifestyle changes.
Main Results:
- Lifestyle interventions demonstrate clinical benefits, including reduced myocardial infarction incidence and type 2 diabetes risk.
- Functional foods and nutraceuticals may be considered for individuals with moderate hypercholesterolemia not meeting criteria for drug therapy.
- Counseling and lifestyle interventions are key for moderate-risk individuals to prevent risk escalation and drug dependency.
Conclusions:
- A healthier lifestyle is recommended for all cardiovascular risk categories.
- Nutraceuticals can supplement lifestyle changes for specific patient groups.
- Effective lifestyle interventions are vital for cardiovascular disease prevention and management.
Abstract:
The availability of efficient lipid-lowering drugs has substantially reduced the incidence and mortality for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite that, CVD still represents a major cause of death and disability; efforts are thus required to prevent this disease, since reducing the established CV risk factors may slow or prevent the onset of cardiovascular events. Current guidelines recommend a healthier lifestyle for all CV risk categories, as it may have a beneficial impact on several risk factors; in individuals with a low-to-moderate hypercholesterolemia, which are not eligible for a pharmacological approach and are not far from the cholesterol target recommended for their risk category, functional foods or nutraceuticals may be considered as supplement to reduce their CV risk status. Of note, counseling and lifestyle intervention in people at moderate CV risk represents a major issue for both preventing a further risk increase and reducing the need for drugs. Studies on general populations have clearly indicated that lifestyle interventions translate into a clinical benefit, with reduction of the incidence of myocardial infarction and the risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:26Atherosclerosis III: Management
01:20Lipid-Lowering Drugs: Statins and Miscellaneous Agents
01:26Coronary Artery Disease IV: Preventive Measures
01:26Angina IV: Management
01:23Atherosclerosis IV: Nursing Management
01:28Hypertension IV: Drug Therapy and Lifestyle Modifications