Patients who discuss their coronary risk profiles with their physicians may respond better to treatment for cholesterol disorders, according to a report in the November 26 issue of Archives of Internal Medicine, one of the JAMA/Archives journals.Dyslipidemia, or cholesterol problems that may include combinations of high total cholesterol, high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL, or “bad” cholesterol) or low high-density lipoprotein (HDL, or “good” cholesterol), is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Treatment is most effective when targeted to high-risk individuals, according to background information in the article. However, these patients sometimes do not adhere to recommended lifestyle changes or pharmacotherapy. One study suggested that one-third of patients who stop taking lipid-lowering medications do so because they are not convinced they need treatment.
