ABSTRACT
DEFINITION/OVERVIEW Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) is the leading cause of mortality in the industrialized nations, and the cardiac event rates remain significant despite major advances in cardiovascular care. Abnormalities in lipid metabolism increase the risk for the development and progression of CHD and the diagnosis and treatment of patients with lipid disorders has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of future adverse cardiac events. In general, the intensity of risk reduction therapy should approximate the individual’s absolute risk, and thus the accurate assessment of the patient’s overall cardiovascular risk status is the central component for the optimal treatment of individuals with dyslipidemia.
