Cholesterol-lowering is not the Holy Grail, but neither is the work of the devil

█ Review

DOI: 10.26430/CHUNGARICA.2018.48.2.136

Authors:
Bajnok László
Pécsi Tudományegyetem, I. sz. Belgyógyászati Klinika, Endokrinológiai és Anyagcsere Tanszék, Pécs

Summary

Cholesterol-lowering statins are the most tested medications in respect of the effects and side-effects. Based on these, we can safely claim that most of the negative opinions about cholesterol-lowering are not realistic. It is not a panacea, but it is proven that around a 30% of cardio- and cerebrovascular risk reduction can be achieved by their regular taking, while the incidence of side effects and risks are at least one order of magnitude lower in each patient groups. For cholesterol, there is no “normal” lab threshold or low level, only “target values”, since the mean value in the general population is high in regard of atherosclerosis (the values measured at birth and among natural people can be considered normal).
Let us appreciate the cholesterol-lowering medications because we do not have a large armamentarium!

ISSUE: CARDIOLOGIA HUNGARICA | 2018 | VOLUME 48, ISSUE 2

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