New guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) could benefit 2.1 million people with cardiovascular disease.
In updated guidelines, a new cholesterol level target has been introduced for patients who have had a heart attack or stroke, in a bid to prevent recurrence.
Clinicians should aim to keep patients’ low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels at 2.0 mmol per litre or less, or their non-high-density lipoprotein levels at 2.6 mmol per litre of less.
NICE says that if statins alone are not enough to reach the target, clinicians should consider additional treatment options with the patient.
Around 2.6 million people in England have cardiovascular disease – 2.1 million of those are on a prescription for cholesterol-lowering therapies.
If implemented, NICE estimates its new recommendations could result in 50,000-145,000 fewer cardiovascular disease-related events over the next 10 years.
NICE’s chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Benger, commented: “Improving the control of cholesterol in a larger number of people will further reduce deaths from heart attacks and strokes. This guideline will help clinicians talk through the options with their patients to achieve the best outcomes.”
He continued: “We are focussed on providing useful and useable guidance for healthcare practitioners to help them and their patients make informed choices about their long-term healthcare.”
According to NICE, cholesterol management pathways will be updated so they aligned with the new guidance.
Cardiovascular disease is responsible for one in four deaths in England and is the leading cause of death worldwide. It accounts for 17.9 million deaths each year – 31% of all global deaths.
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