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ABSTRACT
Hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia are the major causes of atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis-associated conditions, such as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. in addition to lifestyle management and the correction of modifiable risk factors, such as reducing saturated fat intake, cessation of smoking, and increasing physical activity, pharmacologic agents are sometimes required to control hypercholesterolemia and other disorders of lipid metabolism. We are extremely fortunate because we now have drugs, the statins, that are very effective in controlling dyslipidemia and are extremely well tolerated by patients. In addition to lowering total plasma cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and remnant lipoproteins and increasing high density lipoprotein cholesterol, statins appear to have other effects that may enhance their beneficial properties beyond modulation of plasma lipid levels. The rapid reduction in cardiac events observed after only a few months of therapy suggests that statins may have favorable effects on arterial wall lesions unrelated to lowering the levels of atherogenic plasma lipoproteins. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of statins may go beyond Cardiovascular disease to include risk reduction for osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. Much more needs to be learned about this important class of drugs, but present Information is extremely encouraging.
Hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia are the major causes of atherosclerosis and atherosclerosis-associated conditions, such as coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral vascular disease. in addition to lifestyle management and the correction of modifiable risk factors, such as reducing saturated fat intake, cessation of smoking, and increasing physical activity, pharmacologic agents are sometimes required to control hypercholesterolemia and other disorders of lipid metabolism. We are extremely fortunate because we now have drugs, the statins, that are very effective in controlling dyslipidemia and are extremely well tolerated by patients. In addition to lowering total plasma cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and remnant lipoproteins and increasing high density lipoprotein cholesterol, statins appear to have other effects that may enhance their beneficial properties beyond modulation of plasma lipid levels. The rapid reduction in cardiac events observed after only a few months of therapy suggests that statins may have favorable effects on arterial wall lesions unrelated to lowering the levels of atherogenic plasma lipoproteins. Furthermore, the beneficial effects of statins may go beyond Cardiovascular disease to include risk reduction for osteoporosis and Alzheimer's disease. Much more needs to be learned about this important class of drugs, but present Information is extremely encouraging.