Hypercholesterolemia treatment

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [mailto:mgibson@perfuse.org] Phone:617-632-7753; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Kashish Goel, M.D.

Overview
Cholesterol is present in the body as 3 main forms: Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C). Out of these forms, the primary target for risk reduction is LDL-C. National Cholesterol Education Program developed the Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines in 2001 (updated recommendations in 2004) to guide physicians about appropriate treatment of hypercholesterolemia.