Knowledge and Attitudes of Physicians about Lipids.

A sample of 323 physicians from Edmonton, Alberta, was surveyed to evaluate their attitudes and knowledge level concerning heart disease and lipids. Of the sample, 117 physicians returned the questionnaire. When asked to choose significant risk factors of cardiovascular disease, 69% of the physicians indicated hypertension; 85% indicated smoking; and 87% indicated elevated serum cholesterol. Concerning the minimal low-density lipoprotein level that warrants treatment, 82% of the general practitioners and 50% of the specialists indicated that 4.2 mmol/L was the minimal level. This is in contrast to the level of 3.4 mmol/L for low-density lipoprotein recommended by the Canadian Consensus Conference on Cholesterol as the level at which treatment should be initiated.