In Reply to: when to treat with statins posted by Cathy on November 13, 2000 at 11:14:46:

: I have tried to find literature on when you would treat with a statin drug but cannot find any definitive answers. Is it only if your cholesterol is high, or any of the others are high (LDL or Trig).
: I have a high cholest--284 and high LDL--191, but my HDL is good at 61 and my triglycerides good at 158 and the Cardiac Risk Factor (cholesterol/hdl) is 4.7 which is okay.
: I do NOT want to go on a statin drug but I would like to know when a statin is recommended. Thanks

Cathy,
You have hit the nail on the head. Although the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)created the updated guidelines in 1993 that all physicians follow:

One or less Risk Factors Start drug therapy if LDL is greater than 190. Goal is LDL 160.

2 or more risk factors start drug therapy at LDL 160. Goal is LDL 130.

Had heart attack, start drug therapy at LDL 130. Goal is LDL 100 or less.

Cathy, You see the problem here, the guidelines do not tell the doctor WHICH drugs to use to treat. The rule of thumb is if you are treating LDL, use a statin; to treat HDL us niacin; to treat Triglycerides use fibrate.

What treatment you want to take is up to you. As a rule of thumb, for every point you lower LDL, you lower your risk of heart attack by 1%. For every point you raise your HDL, you lower your risk of heart attack by 3-4%.

• Re: when to treat with statins Cathy 12:09:38 11/14/00 (0)