In order to properly manage and prevent the growth of adults with high cholesterol, cholesterol guidelines were set. Developed through research and study, these cholesterol guidelines hope to treat as many Americans with high cholesterol as possible. These guidelines were issued in May 2001 by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), in line with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.
The significant changes in the guidelines are: the more insistent cholesterol-reducing treatment and identification of those who are at high risk of heart disease; the use of lipoprotein profile as a first step for treating high cholesterol levels; a new stage at which low high-density lipoprotein (low HDL) becomes a major high risk factor for heart diseases; a brand new set of “Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes” with more power to improve cholesterol levels; to focus more on the cluster of risk factors in heart disease called “the metabolic syndrome”; and to boost the awareness of treatments of high triglycerides.
With these new cholesterol guidelines they expected a considerable amount of increase in the number of Americans treated for high cholesterol. These include the raise in the number of dietary treatments from the estimated amount of 52 million to 65 million. It will also increase the number of prescription for cholesterol-reducing drugs from 13 million to 36 million.
The new cholesterol guidelines also include a tool which can help in predicting an individual’s possibility of having a heart disease in the next 10 years. Men and women’s risk’s are calculated separately. The tool will work best for people who have two or more risk factors of heart disease. As such, this tool is recognized by the ATP (Adult Treatment Patients).
The other changes in the new cholesterol guidelines are:
More aggressive treatment of high cholesterol for those who have diabetes; in addition to the high short-term risk of having a coronary episode, Type 2 diabetes is also a high risk of dying of a heart attack.
Lipoprotein profile as the first step in testing for high cholesterol; it is the measurement of the levels of LDL, HDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides, and other fatty substance in the bloodstream.
A new phase wherein low-HDL is a main risk factor for heart disease.
Strengthening the use of physical activity, nutrition and weight control in the treatment of high blood cholesterol levels.
The identification of a “metabolic syndrome” of the risk factors relating to insulin resistance.
More aggressive treatment for high triglycerides.
Advising to stop using “Hormone Replacement Therapy” “HRT” as a substitute to cholesterol-reducing medicines.
Also stated in these guidelines is the study that having diabetes puts a person at a greater risk to suffer from heart disease. With this, the guidelines strongly advised that individuals with diabetes undergo an intensive treatment just like persons with heart disease. The intensive treatment will include a study of their lifestyle, and drugs taken. Overall, the cholesterol guidelines aim to control and give information on how to treat high cholesterol.
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