The National Cholesterol Education program: guidelines and commentaries.

There is overwhelming evidence that atherosclerosis is caused by elevated cholesterol levels and that the process can be prevented, arrested, and even reversed by altering the cholesterol fractions. The National Cholesterol Education program established guidelines for the management of hypercholesterolemia. Classification of cholesterol values are: Desirable 200 mg./dl, Borderline high 200-239 mg./dl high risk 240 mg./dl and above. Total cholesterol is used for case finding and screening, but LDL cholesterol is the key index for decisions requiring treatment. Classification of LDL levels is as follows: High risk 160 mg/.dl and over, Borderline 130 to 159 mg./dl, Acceptable 130 mg./dl and below. Secondary and familiar disorders should be identified. Dietary therapy is the cornerstone of cholesterol reducing interventions. Steps one and two diets are described, with limitations of saturated fats to 10% of total calories and cholesterol to 300 mg./daily in step one; step two diet limits saturated fats to 7% of total calories-and cholesterol to 200 mg./daily. Pharmacotherapy is based on 5 groups of hypolipidemics agents: A--Resins (cholestyramine and colestipol) B--Nicotinic acid C--Probucol D--Fibric acids (gemfibrozil) E--Reductase inhibitors (lovastatin). Some areas of criticism and controversies regarding the guidelines are discussed and identified.