Lipid Profile
How is treatment determined?
Treatment is determined by your overall risk of coronary heart disease. Based on the results of lipid tests and other major risk factors, your target LDL cholesterolis identified. If your LDL-C is above the target value, you will be treated.
Your target LDL-C value is:
- Less than 100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L) if you have heart disease or diabetes.
- Less than 130 mg/dL (3.37 mmol/L) if you have 2 or more risk factors.
- Less than 160 mg/dL (4.14 mmol/L) if you have 0 or 1 risk factor.
The first step in treating high LDL-C is targeted at changes in lifestyle - specifically, adopting diets low in cholesterol, saturated fat and trans unsaturated fats (trans fats) and participating in moderate exercise. You may be referred to a dietician for advice in making dietary changes.
If low-fat diets and exercise are not adequate to lower LDL cholesterol to the target value, drug therapy would be the next step. There are several classes of drugs that are effective in lowering LDL. You may be prescribed one of these. Your LDL will be checked at regular intervals to assure that the drug is working. If the drug does not result in reaching your target LDL-cholesterol, your doctor may increase the amount of drug or possibly add a second drug.
