In Reply to: Re: when to treat with statins posted by LpLittleA on November 13, 2000 at 20:36:04:

: : 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%.

Thank you, this is what I was looking for--some sort of guidelines. Thanks, Cathy