New U.S. cholesterol guidelines issued on Monday set the lowest level yet for high-risk patients, with recommendations for aggressive use of drugs to get levels down. The new recommendations also stress no patient should rely on drugs alone to lower cholesterol, but should also take responsibility for the right diet and exercise to keep the heart and arteries healthy. Although patients were once told to get so-called bad cholesterol down to about 100, the new guidelines say the highest-risk people need to aim for a low-density lipoprotein level of 70.
