II. Indications
III. Management: General Measures
- See Low Fat Diet
- Aerobic Exercise for at least 120 minutes per week (900 kcal expended per week)
- Raises HDL Cholesterol linearly with cummulative amount of aerobic Exercise
- Lowers Total Cholesterol 3.9%, LDL Cholesterol 3.9% and Serum Triglycerides 7.1%
- Halbert (1999) Eur J Clin Nutr 53(7):514-22 [PubMed]
- Weight loss in Obesity (11 kg or 24 lb)
- Lowers LDL 10%, Triglycerides 24%, raises HDL 8%
- Katzel (1995) Metabolism 44:307-14 [PubMed]
IV. Management: Approach (ACC/AHA 2013, as well as USPTF 2016, 2023)
- Approach
- Recheck LDL Cholesterol 4 to 12 weeks after starting Statin, and then recheck yearly
- Readdress Statin compliance periodically
- ACC/AHA Guidelines as of 2013 changes
- Statins are the preferred AntiHyperlipidemic and combinations are not recommended in most cases
- Patients are risk stratified to high or low risk Statin dose without the chasing of specific LDL Cholesterol goals
- Framingham calculator is replaced with more predictive calculators
- Pooled Cohort Equation (ACC/AHA Guideline)
- New 10 year cardiovascular risk calculator to help risk stratify (including Statin dosing)
- http://www.cvriskcalculator.com/
- QRisk2 (NICE 2014 Guideline)
- Includes Renal Function in risk calculation
- https://www.qrisk.org/2016/
- Pooled Cohort Equation (ACC/AHA Guideline)
- Young adults (age <40 years old) may benefit from Cholesterol lowering
- LDL Cholesterol >190 mg/dl (esp. if premature coronary disease Family History)
- Multiple Cardiovascular Risk Factors
- Diabetes Mellitus for more than 20 years (type 1 DM) or 10 years (type 2 DM)
- Navar-Bogan (2015) Circulation 131:451-8 [PubMed]
- Indications to continue treatment with Statin agent in age over 75 years
- Coronary Artery Disease
- High Coronary Calcium Score
- Ankle brachial index <0.9
- hs-CRP >2 mg/L
- Consider continuing agent even without other indications (NNT 83 to avoid 1 MI in 3-4 years)
- Balance cardiovascular risk with quality of life (e.g. Statin induced myalgias) and Drug Interactions
- Non-Statins are not recommended unless Statins are not tolerated (or not at goal despite Statin)
- Precautions
- Most agents aside from Statins do not lower cardiovascular risk significantly
- Only indicated in highest risk patients (e.g. with CAD) if LDL not at goal (<70 mg/dl)
- Alternative agents when Statins are not tolerated (or adjunctive when not at goal despite Statin)
- Ezetimibe (Zetia)
- Underwhelming benefit (NNT 50 for one less event in 7 years, and $360/year)
- PCSK9 Inhibitor ($14,000 per year in 2017, includes Alirocumab, Evolocumab)
- Nexletol (ATP-Citrate Lyase Inhibitor)
- Lowers LDL Cholesterol as a Statin adjunct or alternative (but does not effect Triglycerides, HDL)
- Unknown effect on longterm cardiovascular outcomes
- Costs $330/month
- Feng (2020) Prog Lipid Res +PMID:31499095 [PubMed]
- Ezetimibe (Zetia)
- Other measures (generally not recommended)
- Fibrates may be considered for very high Triglycerides (>500-1000 mg/dl)
- Bile acid sequestrant
- References
- Precautions
- High Intensity Protocol (with goal LDL Cholesterol decrease of >50%, typically goal LDL <70 mg/dl)
- Indications
- LDL Cholesterol > 190 mg/dl OR
- Known cardiovascular disease or other serious risk factors (10 year cardiovascular risk >20%) OR
- Diabetes Mellitus and age 40-75 years old and 10 year cardiovascular risk >7.5%
- Preparations
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 40-80 mg daily
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor) 20-40 mg daily
- Indications
- Moderate Intensity Protocol (with goal LDL Cholesterol decrease of >50%)
- Indications
- 10 year cardiovascular risk >7.5%
- USPTF recommends at least 1 CAD risk and >10% ten year risk (optional if >7.5%)
- Mangione (2022) JAMA 328(8): 746-53 [PubMed]
- Diabetes Mellitus AND age 40-75 years old AND 10 year cardiovascular risk <7.5%
- Use high intensity if Diabetes Mellitus and 10 year cardiovascular risk >7.5%
- Consider in other Diabetes Mellitus patients outside this age range
- Age over 75 years old
- May continue on high intensity protocol if tolerating without adverse effects
- 10 year cardiovascular risk >7.5%
- Preparations (with goal LDL Cholesterol decrease of >50%)
- Atorvastatin (Lipitor) 10-20 mg daily
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor) 5-10 mg daily
- Simvastatin (Zocor) 20-40 mg daily
- Pravastatin (Pravachol) 40-80 mg daily
- Lovastatin (Mevacor) 40 mg daily
- Fluvastatin (Lescol) 80 mg daily
- Pitavastatin (Livalo) 2-4 mg daily
- Indications
- References
- (2014) Presc Lett 21(1): 1-2
- Stone (2014) J Am Coll Cardiol 63(25 pt B): 2889-2934 +PMID:24239923 [PubMed]
V. Management: Approach - Older
- These guidelines are replaced as of 2013 by guidelines described above
- Left here for historical reasons
-
General
- Guidelines push for lower LDL Cholesterol
- LDL Cholesterol <70 mg/dl in coronary disease and Diabetes Mellitus
- Guidelines updated in 2014 to risk stratify to high intensity or low intensity management as above
- Guidelines may require high dose
- Most potent agents: Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor
- Doubling dose lowers LDL Cholesterol 6%
- Guidelines of 2014 de-emphasize adding other agents to Statins (due to lack of efficacy)
- Agents typically combined with Statins: Niacin, Cholestyramine, zetia
- Lowers LDL Cholesterol additional 10-15%
- However neither Zetia or Niacin have shown added benefit beyond Statin alone
- Most potent agents: Zocor, Lipitor, Crestor
- Old age should not be a sole reason to not prescribe a Statin
- References
- (2004) Prescriber's Letter 11(8):43
- Kopecky (2012) Mayo POIM, Rochester
- Guidelines push for lower LDL Cholesterol
-
Serum Triglyceride <150 mg/dl (Primarily LDL Disorder)
- First-line
- HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) are the mainstays of therapy
- Second-line agents (not recommended as of 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines)
- Second: Niacin or Ezitimibe
- However neither has been shown to improve outcomes over Statin alone
- Third: Bile Binding Resin (Cholestyramine)
- Consider adding Colesevelam (Welchol) in Diabetes Mellitus
- Second: Niacin or Ezitimibe
- Adjunctive agents
- Plant Sterols and stanols
- First-line
-
Serum Triglyceride 150 to 400-500 mg/dl (Mixed lipid disorder)
- First-line
- HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) are the mainstays of therapy
- Second-line agents (not recommended as of 2014 ACC/AHA guidelines)
- Second: Niacin (not recommended as of 2014 ACC/AHA guidelines)
- Third: Cholesterol absorption inhibitor (Ezitimibe)
- As noted above, neither Niacin nor Ezetimibe have been shown to improve outcomes over Statin alone
- First-line
-
Serum Triglyceride >400-500 mg/dl: See Hypertriglyceridemia
- HMG-CoA Reductase Inhibitors (Statins) are still the mainstays of therapy
- Some specific Triglyceride management agents may be used with Statins with caution (due to Rhabdomyolysis risk)
- Tricor may be used with Statins with caution
- Do not use Gemfibrozil with Statins
- Nicotinic Acid (Niacin) may be used with Statins with caution (however see lack of efficacy data above)
- Adjuncts
- Fish oil
- Coronary Artery Disease Prevention
- Medication not recommended if only HDL Cholesterol low
- Raise HDL Cholesterol with non-medication measures
- Focus medication use on lowering LDL Cholesterol
- Birjmohun (2005) J Am Coll Cardiol 45:185-97 [PubMed]
-
Hyperlipidemia in age over 65 years
- Low HDL increases MI risk in age over 65 years
- Other Hyperlipidemia does not predict MI risk age >65
- Psaty (2004) J Am Geriatr Soc 52:1639-47 [PubMed]
VI. Management: Adjuvant Therapy
- Garlic
-
Plant Sterols and stanols (e.g. Benecol, Promise Activ)
- Dose 2 grams daily lowers LDL by 10%
- Fish oils (Omega-3 Fatty Acids)
- Lowers Triglycerides (4%: 1 g/day, 10-40%: 2-4g/day)
- Unfortunately raises LDL Cholesterol 5-10%
- Marginal effect on HDL Cholesterol
- Not proven to reduce cardiovascular events
- Soluble Dietary Fiber
- Lowers LDL Cholesterol 7% for 10 grams of fiber
- Sources
- Psyllium, Barley, Beans
- Oat bran (e.g. cheerios, oatmeal)
- Brown (1999) Am J Clin Nutr 69:30-42 [PubMed]
- Dietary Soy Proteins 25 grams per day (4% lowering)
- Unsaturated fat nuts (pistachios, almonds)
- Glucophage (Metformin)
- Rosiglitazone or Pioglitazone
- Orlistat (Xenical)
- Policosanol (sugar cane derivative)
- Red-yeast rice
- Contains natural HMG-CoA reductase agent (similar to Lovastatin)
- Produced when rice ferments with yeast
- Currently unregulated and dose not standardized
- Not recommended until standardized dosing available
- May be an alternative for patients not tolerant to Statin medications
- Example Monocolin K 5-10 mg daily
- Contains natural HMG-CoA reductase agent (similar to Lovastatin)
- Lactobacillus reuteri (Cardioviva)
- Probiotic may decrease fat and Cholesterol gastrointestinal absorption
- May lower LDL 10% (similar effect to fiber, Benecol)
- Jones (2012) Eur J Clin Nutr 66: 1234-41 [PubMed]
VII. Management: Measures that are not effective (not recommended)
-
Estrogen Replacement Therapy
- No longer recommended for CAD prevention
- Recent studies suggest increased cardiovascular risk
- See Hormone Replacement for details
-
Lipid effects
- LDL lowered (15%)
- HDL raised (15%)
- Triglycerides
- Raised: Oral Estrogen Replacement (considerably)
- No effect: Transdermal Estrogen
- Antioxidants do not affect lipid levels
- No benefit with Vitamin E, C, Beta Carotene, Selenium
- Brown (2001) N Engl J Med 345:1583-92 [PubMed]
- Medications to raise HDL Cholesterol
- Adding agents to Statins to raise HDL Cholesterol does not lower cardiovascular risk
- Keene (2014) BMJ 349:g4379 [PubMed]
VIII. Management: Combination Regimens
-
General
- Combination regimens can lower LDL 40-50%
- Combinations without risk
- Combinations to use with caution
- Statin and Nicotinic Acid (Niacin)
- Risk of Myopathy, Hepatitis And Rhabdomyolysis
- Zocor + Niacin lowered LDL 42% and raised HDL 26%
- Brown (2001) N Engl J Med 345:1583-92 [PubMed]
- Advicor (Niacin and Lovastatin)
- Appears relatively safe and well tolerated
- Limited Myopathy and hepatitis risk
- Efficacy in lowering lipid levels
- Lowers LDL up to 32-47%
- Lowers Triglycerides 24-45%
- Raises HDL 18-40%
- Efficacy in vascular disease prevention
- Does not appear to improve outcomes
- Appears relatively safe and well tolerated
- Statin and Nicotinic Acid (Niacin)
- Contraindicated combinations
- Statin and Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
- Risk of severe Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis
- Fenofibrate appears safer with Statins
- Statin and Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
IX. Management: Severe familial Hypercholesterolemia
- Indications
- Severe, high LDL Cholesterol, refractory to high dose Statin
- PCSK9 Inhibitors (monoclonal antibodies)
- Small Interfering RNA