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Hypercholesterolemia

Michelle Nelson, MD and Egle Klugiene, DipABLM, MD Reviewed 04/2024
 


BASICS

DESCRIPTION

  • Elevated cholesterol is a significant risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD).

  • Lipoprotein subtypes:

    • Low-density lipoproteins (LDL): atherogenic; primary target ...

DIAGNOSIS

Screening recommendations: 
  • U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) (1)[A]: total cholesterol and HDL cholesterol (HDL-C)

    • Men and women ≥40 years old

  • American Diabetes Association: yearly...

TREATMENT

ALERT

Multiple guidelines exist. The American College of Cardiology/AHA (ACC/AHA) cholesterol guidelines return to targeting LDL goals. Risk stratifying patients should be reserved for primar...

ONGOING CARE

FOLLOW-UP RECOMMENDATIONS

Moderate-intensity exercise for 150 minutes per week: increases HDL, lowers TC, and helps control weight 

Patient Monitoring

Routine monitoring of liver function te...

REFERENCES

1
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Final recommendation statement: statin use for the primary prevention of cardiovascular disease in adults: preventive medication. JAMA. 2022;328(8):746...

SEE ALSO

Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2; Hypertension, Essential; Obesity 

CODES

ICD10

E78.0 Pure hypercholesterolemia 

SNOMED

  • 13644009 Hypercholesterolemia (disorder)

  • 398036000 Familial hypercholesterolemia (disorder)

  • 238076009 primary hypercholesterolemia (disorder)

  • 238082007 Se...

CLINICAL PEARLS

  • A plant-based diet (Mediterranean diet) and exercise should be tried before pharmaceutical interventions for most with hypercholesterolemia

  • Decision to initiate statins in primary prev...

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