Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 16, 2026
09:15
Differential Effects of Lipid-lowering Drugs in Modulating Morphology of Cholesterol Particles
Published on: November 10, 2017
Progress in Achieving LDL Cholesterol Target Levels in a High-Risk Patient Population in Slovakia
Stefan Toth1,2, Lukas Olsavsky3, Pavol Fulop4
1Department of Histology and Embryology, Faculty of Medicine, Pavol Jozef Safarik University, 040 11 Kosice, Slovakia.
Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland)
|July 15, 2026
Summary
Slovakian patients with high cardiovascular risk show poor LDL cholesterol control despite treatment changes. New strategies are needed to improve lipid management and prevent cardiovascular events.
Area of Science:
- Cardiology
- Lipidology
- Public Health
Background:
- Dyslipidemia management in Slovakia evolved with relaxed restrictions and new drugs.
- Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets are crucial for preventing atherosclerosis and cardiovascular (CV) disease.
- Assessing the impact of these changes on LDL-C goal attainment in high-risk patients is essential.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the effectiveness of LDL-C goal achievement in Slovakian patients with very high CV risk.
- To evaluate the impact of recent changes in dyslipidemia management on LDL-C control.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of anonymized LDL-C data from 2020-2023.
- Inclusion of patients with acute coronary syndrome (ACS), stroke, and high/very high CV risk.
- Assessment of target LDL-C levels according to 2019 ESC/EAS guidelines.
Main Results:
- Over 115,000 patients' LDL-C data were analyzed.
- LDL-C goal attainment remained low across ACS, stroke, and very high CV risk groups (2.2-6.6%).
- A significant proportion of patients (6.5-8.7%) had very high LDL-C levels (≥ 4.9 mmol/L).
Conclusions:
- Despite improvements, overall LDL-C control in Slovakia remains critically low.
- Relaxed restrictions and new treatments doubled target attainment but did not resolve the issue.
- Protocol-driven combination therapies and intensive follow-up are urgently required for better lipid management.
Related Concept Videos
01:26Atherosclerosis 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...
01:20Lipid-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...
01:26Coronary 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...
01:18Lipids: 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 meats, shellfish,...
01:25Blood 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...
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...
01:29Cholesterol: 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...
Considering cholesterol and...