The power of statins: aggressive lipid lowering.

The publication of new guidelines from the National Cholesterol Education Program poses new challenges for clinicians in terms of assessing risk and determining treatment strategies for individual patients. It is clear from accumulated epidemiologic data that lowering low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is a key element in the quest for cardiovascular health. In the past, choices for pharmacotherapeutic intervention were limited by issues of tolerance and, therefore, patient compliance. Fortunately, the statin class of drugs offer lipid lowering with both good safety and tolerability.