Abstract |
Coronary heart disease is the single largest cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States. The link between elevated low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( LDL-C) levels and coronary heart disease (CHD) has been clearly established. However, triglycerides (TG) are increasingly believed to be independently associated with CHD, while high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is inversely associated with CHD risk. High TG and low HDL often occur together, often with normal levels of LDL-C, and can be described as abnormalities of the TG-HDL axis. This lipid abnormality is a fundamental characteristic of patients with the metabolic syndrome, a condition strongly associated with the development of both type 2 diabetes and CHD. Patients with high TG and low HDL-C should be aggressively treated with therapeutic lifestyle changes. For high-risk patients, lipid-modifying therapy that specifically addresses the TG-HDL axis should also be considered. Current pharmacologic treatment options for such patients include statins, fibrates, niacin, fish oils, and combinations thereof. Several new pharmacologic approaches to treating the TG-HDL axis are currently being investigated. More clinical trial data is needed to test the hypothesis that pharmacologic therapy targeting the TG-HDL axis reduces atherosclerosis and cardiovascular events.
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Authors | Philippe O Szapary, Daniel J Rader |
Journal | American heart journal
(Am Heart J)
Vol. 148
Issue 2
Pg. 211-21
(Aug 2004)
ISSN: 1097-6744 [Electronic] United States |
PMID | 15308990
(Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Review)
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Chemical References |
- Cholesterol, HDL
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
- Hypolipidemic Agents
- Triglycerides
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Topics |
- Cholesterol, HDL
(blood)
- Coronary Disease
(etiology, prevention & control)
- Drug Therapy, Combination
- Humans
- Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors
(therapeutic use)
- Hyperlipidemias
(complications, epidemiology, therapy)
- Hypolipidemic Agents
(therapeutic use)
- Life Style
- Prevalence
- Risk Factors
- Triglycerides
(blood)
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