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Experts Urge
Tighter Cholesterol Control
(HealthDayNews, 7/12/04)
Based on results from recent scientific research, the
National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)—a joint effort
of the American Heart Association, the American College of
Cardiology and the National Heart, Lung and Blood
Institute—recommends using drugs more aggressively to lower
cholesterol to more stringent standards for people at risk for
having a cardiovascular event. The NCEP experts set 100
milligrams per deciliter of LDL cholesterol as the upper limit
for people at highest risk and suggest that, depending on
factors (like smoking, hypertension and diabetes), readings
may be targeted even lower, to 70 milligrams. The scientists
note, however, that lifestyle and diet also play a role in
cholesterol reduction and that treatment decisions must be
made on a case-by-case basis, since drugs have side-effects.
(Circulation, July 13, 2004).
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