CHOLESTEROL GUIDELINES

Canadian Cardiovascular Society has new guidelines re cholesterol. • Screening should start for men 40 and over and women who are 50 or older or postmenopausal. For people with diabetes, smoking, hypertension, screening should be done at any age point. • For high-risk patients, aim for LDL-C of less than 2 mmol/L and the ratio of Total Cholesterol to HDL-C be less than 4. • Statin alone is usually adequate for lowering LDL-C. May add Ezetrol, cholestyramine, niacin to achieve additional goals. Fibrates are used only if niacin is ineffective because of potential muscle toxicity and renal failure from fibrates. • All patients should stop smoking, eat sensibly, lose weight, and exercise.