2013 ACC/AHA cholesterol guideline for reducing cardiovascular risk: What is so controversial?

Abstract

In November 2013, the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association (ACC/AHA) released a clinical practice guideline on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk in adults. The guideline recommendations were developed froma rigorous systematic review of randomized, controlled trials (RCTs) and meta-analyses of RCTs that evaluated ASCVD outcomes. Major recommendations address a healthy lifestyle, identification of groups of patients most likely to experience a net benefit form statin therapy, appropriate intensity of statin therapy to reduce ASCVD, safety, decision-making in primary prevention, monitoring therapy, and appropriate use of nonstatin therapy. Areas of controversy are discussed. © Springer Science+Business Media 2014.