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P. J. Palumbo, MD

JAMA. 1989;262(1):91-92.

	Since this article does not have an abstract, we have provided the first 150 words of the full text PDF and any section headings.

The National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)¹ has done an admirable job of calling the attention of physicians and the public to the importance of cholesterol level as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. The target for this message remains the high-risk individual younger than 60 years. What has been lost in the fine print and the hype is the cautionary note that for individuals older than 60 years the recommendation for intervention should be based on the judgment of the physician and the preference of the patient.

Patient preferences vary. Individuals younger than 60 years might be less motivated in the absence of symptoms to modify behavior or take medications, whereas individuals older than 60 years are more likely to be symptomatic and thus to be motivated. Clinical judgment regarding treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia must be based on current scientific evidence. Certainly, no one will argue that diet and . . . [Full Text PDF of this Article]

Author Affiliations
Mayo Medical School Rochester, Minn

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