Table 2.

Management recommendations for dyslipidemia according to National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III

Factor	LDL cholesterol goal	Recommendations
0−1 CHD risk factora	<160 mg/dL	Diet, weight loss, physical activity; drug therapy if LDL cholesterol remains ≥190 mg/dL; if LDL cholesterol 160−189 mg/dL, drug therapy optional
≥2 CHD risk factors and 10-y CHD risk <20%	<130 mg/dL	Diet, weight loss, physical activity; drug therapy if LDL cholesterol ≥160 mg/dL
≥2 CHD risk factors and 10-y CHD risk 10%-20%	<130 mg/dL, or <100 mg/dL	Diet, weight loss, physical activity; drug therapy if LDL cholesterol remains ≥130 mg/dL (or ≥100 mg/dL)
CHD or CHD risk equivalentb (10-y risk >20%)	<100 mg/dL, or <70 mg/dL	Diet, weight loss, physical activity; drug therapy if LDL cholesterol is ≥130 mg/dL and optional for LDL cholesterol 70−129 mg/dL
CHD or CHD risk equivalentb (10-y risk >20%)	<100 mg/dL, or <70 mg/dL	Diet, weight loss, physical activity; drug therapy if LDL cholesterol is ≥130 mg/dL and optional for LDL cholesterol 70−129 mg/dL
Non—HDL cholesterol in persons with triglycerides 200 mg/dL	Goals 30 mg/dL higher than LDL cholesterol	Same as LDL cholesterol with goal 30 mg/dL higher
Low HDL cholesterol	No consensus goal	Weight loss, physical activity; consider niacin or a fibrate in high-risk individuals with HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dL

^aTo screen for dyslipidemia, a fasting lipoprotein profile (cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol) should be obtained every 5 years in adults. It should be obtained more often if two or more CHD risk factors are present (risk factors include cigarette smoking, hypertension, HDL cholesterol <40 mg/dL, CHD in a male first-degree relative <55 years old or in a female first-degree relative <65 years old, or age ≥45 years for men or ≥65 years for women) or if LDL cholesterol levels are borderline or high.

^bCHD risk equivalents include diabetes or other forms of atherosclerotic disease (peripheral arterial disease, abdominal aortic aneurysm, and symptomatic carotid artery disease).

Data from Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive summary of the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III).