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LDL Cholesterol Goals and Thresholds for Treatment

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Table 1. LDL Cholesterol Goals and Thresholds for Treatment*

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Risk CategoryLDL Goal*LDL Threshold to Initiate Therapeutic Lifestyle ChangesConsider Drug Therapy
* Non-HDL cholesterol target levels are 30 mg/dL higher than corresponding LDL cholesterol levels.
Adapted from National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, National Institutes of Health. Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III)Link will take you outside the VA website.. NIH Publication No. 02-5215. September 2002.
Lower risk:

No CHD or CHD equivalents and 0-1 risk factor

<160 mg/dL≥160 mg/dL≥190 mg/dL (at 160-189 mg/dL, drug therapy optional)
Moderate risk:

No CHD or CHD equivalents; ≥2 risk factors and 10-year estimated risk <10%

<130 mg/dL≥130 mg/dL≥160 mg/dL
Moderately high risk:

No CHD or CHD equivalents; ≥2 risk factors and 10-year estimated risk 10-20%

<130 mg/dL (optional goal: <100 mg/dL)≥130 mg/dL≥130 mg/dL
High risk:

CHD or CHD equivalent

<100 mg/dL (optional goal: <70 mg/dL)≥100 mg/dL≥100 mg/dL

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