Evaluation of the hypercholesterolemia care cascade and compliance with NCEP-ATP III guidelines in Iran based on the WHO STEPS survey

Table 1 LDL cholesterol goals and cut points for Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) and drug therapy in different risk categories (Major risk factors (Exclusive of LDL Cholesterol) That modify LDL goals:

Risk Category	LDL Goal (mg/dL)	LDL Level to Initiate Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) (mg/dL)	LDL Level to Consider Drug Therapy (mg/dL)
CHD or CHD Risk Equivalents (10-year risk > 20%)	< 100	> = 100	> = 130 (100–129: drug optional)^a
2 + Risk Factors (10-year risk ≤ 20%)	< 130	> = 130	10-year risk 10–20%: > = 130, 10-year risk < 10%: > = 160
0–1 Risk Factor	< 160	> = 160	> = 190 (160–189: LDL-lowering drug optional)

^aNote: HDL cholesterol ≥ 60 mg/dL counts as a "negative" risk factor; its presence removes one risk factor from the total count
1. Cigarette smoking
2. Hypertension (BP ≥ 140/90 mmHg or on antihypertensive medication)
3. Low HDL cholesterol (< 40 mg/dL)^a
4. Family history of premature CHD (CHD in male first-degree relative < 55 years; CHD in female first-degree relative < 65 years), and
5. Age (males ≥ 45 years; females ≥ 55 years)

ISSN: 1476-511X