Person—cholesterol level (measured), total millimoles per litre N[N].N

DSS specific information:

Scientific studies have shown a continuous relationship between lipid levels and coronary heart disease and overwhelming evidence that lipid lowering interventions reduce coronary heart disease progression, morbidity and mortality. Studies show a positive relationship between an individual's total blood cholesterol level and risk of coronary heart disease as well as death (Kannel & Gordon 1970; Pocock et al. 1989).

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

Several generalisations can be made from these cholesterol lowering trials:

• that the results of the intervention trials are consistent with the prospective population studies in which (excluding possible regression dilution bias) a 1.0 mmol/L reduction in plasma total cholesterol translates into an approximate 20% reduction in the risk of future coronary events.
• It should be emphasised, however, that this conclusion does not necessarily apply beyond the range of cholesterol levels which have been tested in these studies.
• That the benefits of cholesterol lowering are apparent in people with and without coronary artery disease.

There is high level evidence that in patients with existing coronary heart disease, lipid intervention therapy reduces the risk of subsequent stroke

DSS specific information:

Scientific studies have shown a continuous relationship between lipid levels and coronary heart disease and overwhelming evidence that lipid lowering interventions reduce coronary heart disease progression, morbidity and mortality. Studies show a positive relationship between an individual's total blood cholesterol level and risk of coronary heart disease as well as death (Kannel & Gordon 1970; Pocock et al. 1989).

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

Several generalisations can be made from these cholesterol lowering trials:

• that the results of the intervention trials are consistent with the prospective population studies in which (excluding possible regression dilution bias) a 1.0 mmol/L reduction in plasma total cholesterol translates into an approximate 20% reduction in the risk of future coronary events.
• It should be emphasised, however, that this conclusion does not necessarily apply beyond the range of cholesterol levels which have been tested in these studies.
• That the benefits of cholesterol lowering are apparent in people with and without coronary artery disease.

There is high level evidence that in patients with existing coronary heart disease, lipid intervention therapy reduces the risk of subsequent stroke

DSS specific information:

Scientific studies have shown a continuous relationship between lipid levels and coronary heart disease and overwhelming evidence that lipid lowering interventions reduce coronary heart disease progression, morbidity and mortality. Studies show a positive relationship between an individual's total blood cholesterol level and risk of coronary heart disease as well as death (Kannel & Gordon 1970; Pocock et al. 1989).

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

Several generalisations can be made from these cholesterol lowering trials:

• that the results of the intervention trials are consistent with the prospective population studies in which (excluding possible regression dilution bias) a 1.0 mmol/L reduction in plasma total cholesterol translates into an approximate 20% reduction in the risk of future coronary events.
• It should be emphasised, however, that this conclusion does not necessarily apply beyond the range of cholesterol levels which have been tested in these studies.
• That the benefits of cholesterol lowering are apparent in people with and without coronary artery disease.

There is high level evidence that in patients with existing coronary heart disease, lipid intervention therapy reduces the risk of subsequent stroke

DSS specific information:

The risk of coronary and other macrovascular disorders is 2-5 times higher in people with diabetes than in non-diabetic subjects and increases in parallel with the degree of dyslipidaemia.

Following Principles of Care and Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Diabetes Mellitus, the targets for lipids management are:

• To reduce total Cholesterols to less than 5.5 mmol/L
• To reduce triglyceride levels to less than 2.0 mmol/L
• To increase high density lipoprotein Cholesterols to more than or equal to 1.0 mmol/L.

If pre-existing cardiovascular disease (bypass surgery or myocardial infarction), total cholesterol should be less than 4.5 mmol/L

DSS specific information:

The risk of coronary and other macrovascular disorders is 2-5 times higher in people with diabetes than in non-diabetic subjects and increases in parallel with the degree of dyslipidaemia.

Following Principles of Care and Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Diabetes Mellitus, the targets for lipids management are:

• To reduce total Cholesterols to less than 5.5 mmol/L
• To reduce triglyceride levels to less than 2.0 mmol/L
• To increase high density lipoprotein Cholesterols to more than or equal to 1.0 mmol/L.

If pre-existing cardiovascular disease (bypass surgery or myocardial infarction), total cholesterol should be less than 4.5 mmol/L

DSS specific information:

The risk of coronary and other macrovascular disorders is 2-5 times higher in people with diabetes than in non-diabetic subjects and increases in parallel with the degree of dyslipidaemia.

Following Principles of Care and Guidelines for the Clinical Management of Diabetes Mellitus, the targets for lipids management are:

• To reduce total Cholesterols to less than 5.5 mmol/L
• To reduce triglyceride levels to less than 2.0 mmol/L
• To increase high density lipoprotein Cholesterols to more than or equal to 1.0 mmol/L.

If pre-existing cardiovascular disease (bypass surgery or myocardial infarction), total cholesterol should be less than 4.5 mmol/L