New Cholesterol Treatment Guideline Implications for Pharmacy Practice

The 2013 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Guideline on the Treatment of Blood Cholesterol takes an evidence-based approach that stresses the reduction of cardiovascular risk. As a result of this emphasis on clinically meaningful endpoints, the guideline focuses on agents with the highest-quality evidence, namely, high-intensity statin therapy. Other agents recommended in previous guidelines did not have sufficient evidence for inclusion. The new guideline recommends that moderate-or highintensity statins be used in four populations: patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, elevated cholesterol, diabetes mellitus, or high cardiovascular risk according to Pooled Cohort Equations. Pharmacists can play a critical role in helping patients understand the new recommendations.