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 cumulative 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: AntiHyperlipidemic Approach (ACC/AHA 2013, 2016, 2023)
- Approach
- Maintain general measures as above
- Determine AntiHyperlipidemic indications (see Cardiac Risk as below)
- Non-Statins are primarily second-line agents if Statins are not tolerated (or not at goal despite Statin)
- Statins are the preferred AntiHyperlipidemic (at high intensity and moderate intensity protocols as below)
- Follow High Intensity and Moderate Intensity Statin Protocols (see below)
- Statin lowering of LDL Cholesterol as primary prevention
- Over 3 to 6 years, Statin LDL lowering results in only small reductions in mortality, CVA and MI
- Byrne (2022) JAMA Intern Med 182(5): 474-81 [PubMed]
- LDL Cholesterol may be decreased to very low levels (<40 mg/dl) without safety concerns
- In fact, very high risk patients (multiple CV events) target LDL Cholesterol decrease >50% to <55 mg/dl
- Other lipid abnormalities
- Hypertriglyceridemia
- Low HDL Cholesterol
- Medication is not recommended if only HDL Cholesterol low
- Raise HDL Cholesterol with non-medication measures (e.g. aerobic Exercise)
- 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]
- Medication is not recommended if only HDL Cholesterol low
- Monitoring
- Recheck LDL Cholesterol 4 to 12 weeks after starting Statin, and then recheck yearly
- Readdress Statin compliance periodically
- References
- (2014) Presc Lett 21(1): 1-2
- Stone (2014) J Am Coll Cardiol 63(25 pt B): 2889-2934 +PMID:24239923 [PubMed]
V. Evaluation: Cardiac Risk for Statin Indications and Dosing
- 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]
- Older adults (age >75 years)
- 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
- Precautions
- Balance Cardiovascular Risk with quality of life (e.g. Statin induced myalgias) and Drug Interactions
- Old age should not be a sole reason to not prescribe a Statin
- Consider continuing agent even without other indications (NNT 83 to avoid 1 MI in 3-4 years)
- Indications to continue treatment with Statin agent in age over 75 years
- References
- (2004) Prescriber's Letter 11(8):43
- Kopecky (2012) Mayo POIM, Rochester
VI. Management: AntiHyperlipidemic Selection
-
Statins
- Statins are the preferred AntiHyperlipidemic (at high intensity and moderate intensity protocols as below)
- Combinations are not recommended in most cases
- Non-Statins
- Indications
- 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, but now generic at $10/month
- NNT 50 for one less cardiovascular event in 7 years
- Lowers LDL an additional 20% when added to a Statin
- PCSK9 Inhibitor
- Biologic at very high cost ($550/month in 2023)
- Medications in class include Alirocumab (Praluent) and Evolocumab (Repatha)
- Bempedoic Acid or 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)
- Bile Acid Sequestrant
- Fibrates may be considered for very high Triglycerides (>500-1000 mg/dl)
- When a Fibrate is used with a Statin. Fenofibrate appears safer
- Avoid combinging Statin and Gemfibrozil (Lopid)
- Risk of severe Myopathy and Rhabdomyolysis
- References
VII. Management: High Intensity and Moderate Intensity Protocols
- Patients are risk stratified to high or low risk Statin dose without the chasing of specific LDL Cholesterol goals
- High Intensity Protocol
- Goal LDL Cholesterol decrease of >50% AND
- LDL Cholesterol <70 mg/dl OR
- LDL Cholesterol <55 mg/dl (if very high risk)
- Multiple cardiovascular events OR
- One cardiovascular event and multiple major risk factors (e.g. Diabetes Mellitus, Tobacco Abuse)
- 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 to 80 mg daily
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor) 20 to 40 mg daily
- Efficacy
- Treating to target LDL 50 to 70 mg/dl is non-inferior to high intensity protocol
- Goal LDL Cholesterol decrease of >50% AND
- 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 to 20 mg daily
- Rosuvastatin (Crestor) 5 to 10 mg daily
- Simvastatin (Zocor) 20 to 40 mg daily
- Pravastatin (Pravachol) 40 to 80 mg daily
- Lovastatin (Mevacor) 40 mg daily
- Fluvastatin (Lescol) 80 mg daily
- Pitavastatin (Livalo) 2 to 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]
VIII. 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]
IX. Management: Severe Familial Hypercholesterolemia
- Indications
- Severe, high LDL Cholesterol, refractory to high dose Statin
- PCSK9 Inhibitors (monoclonal antibodies)
- Small Interfering RNA
X. Management: Measures that are not effective (not recommended)
- Niacin
-
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]