The management of hypercholesterolemia revisited.

Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the major cause of death in the United States. This disease places a large economic burden on society stemming from both loss of productivity and use of health care resources. The primary factor that has been extensively correlated with risk for CAD is elevated cholesterol levels. The lack of efficacy with dietary restriction alone and the limitations, adverse effects, and drug interactions associated with current lipid-lowering therapies have caused health care providers to search for safer and more efficacious agents.