NLA Task Force on Statin Safety--2014 update.

Abstract

1933-2874/$ see front matter 2014 http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jacl.2014.03 Statins are the most widely prescribed class of medications in the United States and their benefits for lowering lowdensity lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and reducing the risk for coronary heart disease (CHD) are well documented. Statins have been the cornerstone of pharmacotherapy for the management of high blood cholesterol levels virtually since their development. The American Heart Association /American College of Cardiology 2013 guidelines recently expanded the number of individuals eligible for statin therapy by recommending it for those with: (1) clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), (2) LDL-C $190 mg/dL, (3) type 2 diabetes and age between 40 and 75 years with LDL-C 70 to 189 mg/dL, and (4) an estimated 10-year risk of ASCVD $7.5% and age 40 to 75 years. Considering only those who qualify according to their estimated 10-year risk of ASCVD, it has been reported that of the 101 million people in the United States age 40 to 79 years who do not have cardiovascular disease, 33 million have an estimated 10-year risk of ASCVD $7.5%, and another 13 million have a risk between 5% and 7.4%. Using crude global estimates, 920 million people worldwide would be expected to be