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Cholesterol Risk Management: A Systematic Examination of the Gap from Evidence to Practice
Author(s) -
Olson Kari L.,
Bungard Tammy J.,
Tsuyuki Ross T.
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
pharmacotherapy: the journal of human pharmacology and drug therapy
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.227
H-Index - 109
eISSN - 1875-9114
pISSN - 0277-0008
DOI - 10.1592/phco.21.9.807.34553
Subject(s) - medicine , intensive care medicine , cholesterol , coronary heart disease , ldl cholesterol , disease , risk factor , cardiovascular event
Hypercholesterolemia is a major risk factor for coronary heart disease, and data indicate that aggressive cholesterol reduction decreases mortality and morbidity associated with this disease. Many patients with hypercholesterolemia, however, are not screened, prescribed appropriate lipid‐lowering therapy, or treated to target cholesterol levels. Practice patterns are particularly inadequate for those patients at highest risk for having a cardiac event. We performed a literature search to identify studies of practice patterns in the management of patients with hypercholes‐terolemia with regard to screening, implementing lipid‐lowering therapy, and treating to lipid goals. The findings highlight the potential for substantial opportunities to improve patient outcomes. Future studies should evaluate reasons for suboptimal cholesterol management as well as provide steps to improve management.