NIH Consensus Development Conference on lowering blood cholesterol to prevent heart disease: implications for dietitians.

Coronary heart disease is responsible for more than 550,000 deaths in the United States each year. It is estimated that coronary heart disease costs the United States more than $60 billion a year in direct and indirect costs. Issues related to the exact relationship between blood cholesterol and heart attacks and the steps that should be taken to diagnose and treat elevated blood cholesterol levels were considered by a consensus development conference. The conclusions of the consensus panel, their recommendations, and implications for the dietetic profession are considered.