Person—low-density lipoprotein cholesterol level (calculated), total millimoles per litre N[N].N

DSS specific information:

Many studies have demonstrated the significance of blood cholesterol components as risk factors for heart, stroke and vascular disease.

Scientific studies have shown a continuous relationship between lipid levels and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and overwhelming evidence that lipid lowering interventions reduces CHD progression, morbidity and mortality.

There are many large-scale, prospective population studies defining the relationship between plasma total (and Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL)) cholesterol and the future risk of developing CHD. The results of prospective population studies are consistent and support several general conclusions:

• the majority of people with CHD do not have markedly elevated levels of plasma total cholesterol or LDL-C,
• there is a continuous positive but curvilinear relationship between the concentration of plasma total (and LDL) cholesterol and the risk of having a coronary event and of dying from CHD,
• there is no evidence that a low level of plasma (or LDL) cholesterol predisposes to an increase in non-coronary mortality.

The excess non-coronary mortality at low cholesterol levels in the Honolulu Heart Study (Yano et al. 1983; Stemmermann et al. 1991) was apparent only in people who smoked and is consistent with a view that smokers may have occult smoking related disease that is responsible for both an increased mortality and a low plasma cholesterol.

It should be emphasised that the prospective studies demonstrate an association between plasma total cholesterol and LDL-C and the risk of developing CHD. (Lipid Management Guidelines - 2001, MJA 2001; 175: S57-S88 and Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (1999) National Health Priority Areas Report: Cardiovascular Health 1998. AIHW Cat. No. PHE 9. HEALTH and AIHW, Canberra pgs 14-17).

In settings such as general practice where the monitoring of a person's health is ongoing and where a measure can change over time, the service contact date should be recorded.

DSS specific information:

Many studies have demonstrated the significance of blood cholesterol components as risk factors for heart, stroke and vascular disease.

Scientific studies have shown a continuous relationship between lipid levels and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and overwhelming evidence that lipid lowering interventions reduces CHD progression, morbidity and mortality.

There are many large-scale, prospective population studies defining the relationship between plasma total (and Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL)) cholesterol and the future risk of developing CHD. The results of prospective population studies are consistent and support several general conclusions:

• the majority of people with CHD do not have markedly elevated levels of plasma total cholesterol or LDL-C,
• there is a continuous positive but curvilinear relationship between the concentration of plasma total (and LDL) cholesterol and the risk of having a coronary event and of dying from CHD,
• there is no evidence that a low level of plasma (or LDL) cholesterol predisposes to an increase in non-coronary mortality.

The excess non-coronary mortality at low cholesterol levels in the Honolulu Heart Study (Yano et al. 1983; Stemmermann et al. 1991) was apparent only in people who smoked and is consistent with a view that smokers may have occult smoking related disease that is responsible for both an increased mortality and a low plasma cholesterol.

It should be emphasised that the prospective studies demonstrate an association between plasma total cholesterol and LDL-C and the risk of developing CHD. (Lipid Management Guidelines - 2001, MJA 2001; 175: S57-S88 and Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (1999) National Health Priority Areas Report: Cardiovascular Health 1998. AIHW Cat. No. PHE 9. HEALTH and AIHW, Canberra pgs 14-17).

In settings such as general practice where the monitoring of a person's health is ongoing and where a measure can change over time, the service contact date should be recorded.

DSS specific information:

Many studies have demonstrated the significance of blood cholesterol components as risk factors for heart, stroke and vascular disease.

Scientific studies have shown a continuous relationship between lipid levels and Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and overwhelming evidence that lipid lowering interventions reduces CHD progression, morbidity and mortality.

There are many large-scale, prospective population studies defining the relationship between plasma total (and Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL)) cholesterol and the future risk of developing CHD. The results of prospective population studies are consistent and support several general conclusions:

• the majority of people with CHD do not have markedly elevated levels of plasma total cholesterol or LDL-C,
• there is a continuous positive but curvilinear relationship between the concentration of plasma total (and LDL) cholesterol and the risk of having a coronary event and of dying from CHD,
• there is no evidence that a low level of plasma (or LDL) cholesterol predisposes to an increase in non-coronary mortality.

The excess non-coronary mortality at low cholesterol levels in the Honolulu Heart Study (Yano et al. 1983; Stemmermann et al. 1991) was apparent only in people who smoked and is consistent with a view that smokers may have occult smoking related disease that is responsible for both an increased mortality and a low plasma cholesterol.

It should be emphasised that the prospective studies demonstrate an association between plasma total cholesterol and LDL-C and the risk of developing CHD. (Lipid Management Guidelines - 2001, MJA 2001; 175: S57-S88 and Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing and Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (1999) National Health Priority Areas Report: Cardiovascular Health 1998. AIHW Cat. No. PHE 9. HEALTH and AIHW, Canberra pgs 14-17).

In settings such as general practice where the monitoring of a person's health is ongoing and where a measure can change over time, the service contact date should be recorded.