Abstract

The NICE guideline, ‘Lipid modification: cardiovascular risk assessment and the modification of blood lipids for the primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease’ (1) is a significant advance over earlier more fragmented approaches to cardiovascular risk. The guideline provides strategies for identification of patients at risk, lipid modification in primary and secondary prevention and unifies treatment approaches to coronary heart disease, stroke and peripheral vascular disease. This guideline does not give recommendations for patients with underlying disorders that increase cardiovascular disease risk, but NICE guidance on diabetes which includes lipid modification has also just been published (2) and NICE guidance on familial hypercholesterolaemia is due shortly.