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HomeCardio-VascularCholesterolAre We Doing A Good Job of Lowering Cholesterol in CAD Patients?

Are We Doing A Good Job of Lowering Cholesterol in CAD Patients?

A new study sought to understand real-world contemporary practice patterns of LDL-C management in patients with ASCVD, and whether LDL-C testing influenced management across US health systems.

Coronary Artery Disease (CAD), sometimes called coronary heart disease or ischemic heart disease, is a condition where the arteries supplying blood to the heart become narrowed due to plaque buildup when cholesterol and other substances accumulate in the inner lining of an artery, restricting blood flow and potentially causing chest pain, shortness of breath, or heart attacks. According to the CDC, Coronary Artery Disease is the most common type of heart disease in America. It is. For some people, the first sign of CAD is a heart attack, your healthcare team may be able to help reduce your risk for CAD.

Although guidelines recommend low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to be at least < 70 mg/dL (and more optimally <55 mg/dL) in patients with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), the rate of achieving this goal remains suboptimal.

A new study sought to understand real-world contemporary practice patterns of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol management in patients with ASCVD, and whether LDL-C testing influenced management across US health systems.

CHOLESTEROL MANAGEMENT STUDY

A retrospective cohort study utilizing electronic medical record data from five health systems participating in the CardioHealth Alliance was performed on patients with an low-density lipoprotein cholesterol measurement in 2021 and prior to ASCVD.

RESULTS

Among 216,074 patients with ASCVD, 129,886 (60%) had uncontrolled LDL-C (i.e. ≥ 70 mg/dL).

Compared with participants with controlled LDL-C (< 70 mg/dL), those with uncontrolled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were more frequently female (51% vs. 35%), or Black (14% vs. 10%), and less commonly had coronary artery disease as the form of vascular disease (73% vs. 84% %), heart failure (21% vs. 29% %), diabetes (34% vs. 48%), atrial fibrillation (19% vs. 26%), or chronic kidney disease (25% vs. 32%).

In multivariable analyses, the factors most strongly associated with failure to achieve LDL-C control were the female sex and the Black race.

Among the 53,957 (42%) of those with uncontrolled LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL not on lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) at baseline, only 21% were initiated on any LLT within 6 months of the uncontrolled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol value.

CONCLUSIONS

Within 5 diverse large health systems in the CardioHealth Alliance, more than half of the patients with ASCVD had uncontrolled low-density lipoprotein cholesterol with significant disparities based on sex and race at baseline.

The vast majority were not initiated on any lipid-lowering therapy within 6 months of an elevated test result indicating persistent gaps in care that will likely worsen health inequities in outcomes. 

At the Kahn Center for Cardiac Longevity, we strive to achieve an LDL-C <55 mg/dl in patients with ASCVD and are very successful at hitting that goal with a combination of a plant-based diet, exercise, low-dose statin Rx, and ezetimibe therapy in combination. Supplements like red yeast rice, berberine, garlic, and bergamot are also used in combination. 


About the author: Dr. Joel Kahn is one of the world’s top cardiologists and he is passionate about scientifically showing the body’s ability to heal itself through proper nutrition. He is on a mission to try to prevent heart disease and all future heart attacks by educating and inspiring people to follow an active and holistic lifestyle by applying cutting-edge science to their lives.

At his core, Dr. Joel Kahn believes that plant-based nutrition is the most powerful source of preventative medicine on the planet. Having practiced traditional cardiology since 1983, it was only after his own commitment to a plant-based vegan diet that Dr. Kahn truly began to delve into the realm of non-traditional diagnostic tools, prevention tactics, and nutrition-based recovery protocols.

As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. 

Content may be edited for style and length.

References/Sources/Materials provided by:

https://www.drjoelkahn.com/

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0002870324002710?via%3Dihub

https://www.cdc.gov/heart-disease/about/coronary-artery-disease.html.

Posted by the WHN News Desk
Posted by the WHN News Deskhttps://www.worldhealth.net/
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