Published online Feb 26, 2016. doi: 10.4330/wjc.v8.i2.201
Peer-review started: July 11, 2015
First decision: September 17, 2015
Revised: November 22, 2015
Accepted: December 4, 2015
Article in press: December 8, 2015
Published online: February 26, 2016
Processing time: 239 Days and 1.6 Hours
Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2010, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated that $444 billion was spent on cardiovascular diseases alone, about $1 of every $6 spent on health care. As life expectancy continues to increase, this annual cost will also increase, making cost-effective primary prevention of cardiovascular disease highly desirable. Because of its role in development of atherosclerosis and clinical events, dyslipidemia management is a high priority in cardiovascular prevention. Multiple major dyslipidemia guidelines have been published around the world recently, four of them by independent organizations in the United States alone. They share the goal of providing clinical guidance on optimal dyslipidemia management, but guidelines differ in their emphasis on pharmacotherapy, stratification of groups, emphasis on lifestyle modification, and use of a fixed target or percentage reduction in low density lipoprotein cholesterol. This review summarizes eight major guidelines for dyslipidemia management and considers the basis for their recommendations. Our primary aim is to enhance understanding of dyslipidemia management guidelines in patient care for primary prevention of future cardiovascular risk.
Core tip: Guidelines for dyslipidemia management have been developed by independent organizations internationally for the purpose of improving patient care and reducing costs related to cardiovascular disease. In this review article, we briefly summarize the key strategies suggested by each of eight major dyslipidemia guidelines, and the evidence that forms the foundation of the recommendations. We attempt to present a balanced view, commenting on potential strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Overall, we aim to enhance understanding of dyslipidemia management guidelines for primary prevention of future cardiovascular events.