Management of dyslipidaemia: Evidence and practical recommendations

Background: Dyslipidaemia is a common condition managed in general practice. Objective: This article reviews the evidence and gives practical advice for the management of dyslipidaemia in general practice. Discussion: It is essential to identify people at risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and to instigate appropriate treatment strategies. An assessment of absolute risk is the most appropriate method of identifying those at a higher risk of CVD where CVD is not overt. People with an absolute risk of >15% of a cardiovascular event in the next 5 years should be actively treated. Drug therapy should also be considered in those estimated to be at 10-15% risk of a cardiovascular event in the next 5 years if they have additional risk factors. It is important to select an appropriate lipid lowering therapy (or combination of drugs) in order to reach lipid targets, which need to consider not just LDL-c but also HDL-c and triglycerides. Lifestyle management should underpin all lipid management strategies.