Lipid-modifying therapy

The ultimate aim of lipid-modifying therapy is cardiovascular risk reduction for most patients, while patients with severe hypertriglyceridaemia are primarily treated to reduce the risk of acute pancreatitis. Patients and doctors are pleased to see improved lipid parameters, but without accompanying risk reduction this would be a somewhat hollow victory. Treatment decisions are therefore based on an assessment of risk, rather than on lipid levels alone. The article titled ‘A clinical approach to dyslipidaemia’ (p. 108) provides more information on risk assessment and indications for lipid-modifying therapy.