The National Cholesterol Education Program: guidelines, status, and issues

Article Abstract:

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) was begun in 1985 by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute to increase awareness of and promote behavioral changes related to elevated levels of cholesterol. In 1987, the Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) of the NCEP prepared a report concerning the levels of blood cholesterol that were deemed acceptable and who should undergo treatment for hypercholesterolemia. The report set guidelines for classification of patients: total blood cholesterol levels were to be used to identify individuals at risk, and levels of low density lipoprotein cholesterol (the so-called ''bad'' cholesterol) were to be used for decisions concerning treatment. A major recommendation by the ATP was that changes in diet should be the primary method for controlling cholesterol levels, with drug treatment reserved for only particularly resistant cases. Educational programs have been geared towards the mass media and physicians, with the goal of urging all Americans to know their cholesterol levels and have these checked regularly. Special attention has been given to patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), women, and the elderly, groups with special concerns regarding elevated cholesterol levels, and the treatment of this condition. The report of the Population Panel of the NCEP provides recommendations geared towards a population-based approach to controlling elevated cholesterol levels. Based on the evidence available to date, it is expected that when the recommendations of both reports are fully implemented, dramatic declines in the incidence of CHD will be seen. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Reports, Cardiovascular diseases, Measurement, Risk factors, Cholesterol, Diet therapy, United States. National Cholesterol Education Program

---

Three different schedules of low-density lipoprotein apheresis compared with plasmapheresis in patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia

Article Abstract:

Familial hypercholesterolemia is an inherited disorder characterized by excessive amounts of cholesterol in the blood and increased levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), but normal levels of very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). Apheresis and plasmapheresis are methods of separating blood into components, and may be used to remove toxic elements or excessive amounts of a substance, such as LDL, in patients with familial hypercholesterolemia. The effects of weekly, twice-weekly, and biweekly schedules of low-density lipoprotein apheresis were compared with a biweekly schedule of plasmapheresis in two patients with homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia. High density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol decreased by less than 10 percent after biweekly LDL apheresis, compared with 50 percent or more decrease in HDL after plasmapheresis. The ratios of LDL cholesterol to HDL cholesterol and of apolipoprotein B to apolipoprotein A1 were reduced by more than three- to four-fold during twice weekly apheresis. Both plasmapheresis and apheresis decreased blood levels of iron and hemoglobin, the oxygen-containing pigment of red blood cells. One patient experienced regression of xanthomas, which are flat, slightly elevated, soft, round patches or nodules that usually occur on the eyelids. Effects on the heart were minor in both patients. The results demonstrate that LDL apheresis by the dextran-sulfate/cellulose column is a simple, selective, and safe method for removing LDL cholesterol from the blood. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Health aspects, Care and treatment, Plasmapheresis, Apheresis

---

The epidemiology of hypercholesterolemia: a global perspective

Article Abstract:

Comparison of cholesterol levels, including low-density lipoprotein levels and high-density lipoprotein levels, can be made among populations around the world. Although total uniformity in laboratory methods is not yet achieved, the situation is improving. In the United States, many subgroups have been studied, and some vegetarians have been shown to have much lower cholesterol than their age-matched counterparts. Curiously, although blacks and whites have overall cholesterol levels that are remarkably similar, some black groups have more cholesterol in the form of high-density lipoprotein. Some studies have revealed a lower total cholesterol level among particular African populations than among European groups. Compared with studies of North Americans, data of populations from the Pacific rim and Asia have shown lower cholesterol levels, as well as lower rates of coronary death. This may be due to the traditional Asian diet which is greater in vegetable calories and lower in saturated fat. Serum cholesterol and coronary mortality seem to be increasing in regions where the consumption of meat is on the rise. Cardiovascular mortality appears to be improving in many countries, including Finland and Scotland, where the rate has been high. Unfortunately, high mortality continues to increase in Bulgaria, Poland, and Hungary at a rate greater than 10 percent. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Research, Prevention, Blood cholesterol, Atherosclerosis

Similar abstracts:

• Abstracts: Medical costs in worker's compensation insurance. On the aggregation of health status measures
• Abstracts: Biochemical and hematological evaluation of chloroprene workers. Traveler's diarrhea: new concepts
• Abstracts: Financial Flexiblity: A Measure of Financial Position for Hospital Managers. Federal Policies for Hospital Financing: Crosscurrents and Crosspurposes
• Abstracts: Results of a work-site educational and screening program for hypertension and cancer. Screening blood test identifies subclinical beryllium disease
• Abstracts: Possible association of cutaneous telangiectasia with cardiac myxoma. Varicella zoster virus transverse myelitis without cutaneous rash

This website is not affiliated with document authors or copyright owners. This page is provided for informational purposes only. Unintentional errors are possible.