Reducing high blood cholesterol levels: Recommendations from the national cholesterol education program

Abstract

Modification of risk factors is the major clinical and public health approach to the prevention of coronary heart disease (CHD). To coordinate national efforts to reduce the three major modifiable CHD risk factors of high blood pressure, cigarette smoking, and high blood cholesterol, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) has established three educational programs: the National High Blood Pressure Education Program, the NHLBI Smoking Education Program, and the National Cholesterol Education Program. This article focuses on the most recent of these efforts, the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP). A perspective of the concepts and basis of this effort is afforded by a brief description of the National Cholesterol Education Program's predecessor, the National High Blood Pressure Education Program (NHBPEP).