Key practice points:
- A healthy lifestyle focusing on smoking cessation, a balanced diet, regular physical activity and maintenance of
an optimal weight should be encouraged for everyone
- For the majority of people, the estimated five-year CVD risk should be used to inform decisions about the use of
lipid-lowering medicines
- Lipid-lowering medicines are recommended regardless of predicted risk in all patients with prior CVD or those with
a five-year risk ≥ 15% and for people who have a total cholesterol to HDL-cholesterol (TC/HDL-C) ratio ≥ 8
- The benefits and harms associated with lipid-lowering medicines should be discussed to allow an individualised decision
in people with intermediate risk (5–15%)
- Once lipid-lowering treatment is started, a new LDL-C target of ≤ 1.8 mmol/L is recommended for people at high risk
and a 40% or greater reduction in LDL-C is recommended for intermediate risk groups
- Statins remain the first-line pharmacological treatment to lower lipids
For further information on the use of statins to lower CVD risk see:
Prescribing statins to reduce cardiovascular risk bpacNZ, September 2017
The assessment of an individual’s overall five-year CVD risk is the key factor in determining treatment decisions for
primary prevention.* Evidence shows that better outcomes can be achieved, especially for primary prevention, by managing
overall CVD risk rather than hyperlipidaemia as a single risk factor in isolation.1
People with very high lipid levels (TC:HDL-C ≥ 8), however, including those with familial hyperlipidaemia, should be
treated with lipid-lowering medicines regardless of their estimated CVD risk. Treatment is generally recommended for people
with very high triglyceride levels (≥ 11 mmol/L) as the high lipid levels increase not only CVD risk but also the risk
of acute pancreatitis.1 (See “People with very high triglycerides need special consideration”)
An approach to management based on overall CVD risk rather than individual factors means that patients with the highest
risk achieve the greatest absolute reduction in cardiovascular risk. Furthermore, the benefits of lipid-lowering treatment
have been clearly shown to be directly proportional to an individual’s pre-treatment CVD risk.1, 2 Meta-analyses
of randomised controlled trials show that every 1 mmol/L reduction in LDL-C from statin treatment is associated with an
approximately 25% reduction in the relative risk of major cardiovascular events over five years.1–3 However,
this benefit is very small for people with an overall five-year risk < 5%.1
* The NZ Primary Prevention equations are not yet fully available for clinicians to use in practice, but the recommendations
in the 2018 CVD risk assessment Consensus Statement based on categorisations of risk can be applied now. A Canadian interactive
online CVD risk calculator now includes the ability to estimate risks and benefits based on the Predict equations. It is available at:
The Absolute CVD Risk/Benefit Calculator
Clear communication about level of risk is needed
The new CVD consensus statement emphasises the importance of clear communication with people about their level of risk.
Information should be presented to people in such a way that they can understand what their cardiovascular risk is and
that allows them to take part in the decision-making. It should also be recognised that people with a similar estimated
level of risk may not all make the same decisions regarding treatment. Factors such as the patient’s co-morbidities, life-expectancy
and personal preferences are important to consider, as are the benefits and harms of treatment options.1 The
aim is to come to a shared decision about the person’s level of risk and formulate an individualised solution.
No change to lipid test requirements
A single non-fasting lipid level that provides a ratio of total cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol
(TC:HDL-C) ratio should be used when estimating CVD risk.1, 4, 5 A fasting lipid level is still preferred
in some patients, e.g. those with very high triglyceride levels.6
The TC:HDL-C ratio is used when calculating overall CVD risk and to guide treatment decisions. Once treatment has been
initiated, LDL-C levels are used to inform decisions about the intensity of lipid-lowering medicines.
Further information on non-fasting lipid testing is available here:
"Oh and while you are here...": Fasting may be unnecessary for lipid testing bpacNZ, Best Tests November 2013
Decisions on the pharmacological treatment of lipids should generally be determined by the person’s calculated overall
level of CVD risk, with some exceptions, e.g. those with a TC:HDL-C ratio ≥ 8 (Table 1).
Medicines are not recommended for people at low risk (< 5%)
Lipid-lowering medicines are generally not recommended for patients with a five-year cardiovascular risk less than 5%;
lifestyle interventions should be encouraged.1
Discuss the use of medicines for people with a 5–15% five-year risk
The benefit of lipid lowering therapy is likely to outweigh harm for most people in this risk group. The benefits and
harms of lipid-lowering medicines should be clearly presented and discussed with all patients with a five-year cardiovascular
risk of 5–15% to allow an individualised decision about the initiation of pharmacological treatment.1
Lipid-lowering medicines are recommended for patients with existing CVD or a ≥ 15% five-year risk
All patients with known CVD or with a five-year risk ≥ 15% should be prescribed lipid-lowering treatment along with
advice on lifestyle interventions.
Lipid-lowering medicines are recommended for patients with TC:HDL-C ratio ≥ 8 regardless of cardiovascular risk
If a patient has a TC:HDL-C ratio of ≥ 8 despite lifestyle interventions, lipid-lowering medicines are recommended,
regardless of their calculated cardiovascular risk.1
People who have high levels of total and LDL-cholesterol may have a familial hypercholesterolaemia inherited via autosomal
dominance. A family history of premature heart disease in a first degree relative and the presence of tendon xanthomas
may also support the diagnosis of a familial lipid condition if lipid levels of family members are not available.1
People with very high triglycerides need special consideration
Patients with very high triglyceride levels (≥ 11 mmol/L) may benefit from lipid-lowering medicines, independent of
their estimated CVD risk, as they are at increased risk of acute pancreatitis.1 Advice on lifestyle interventions
and appropriate management of co-morbidities (e.g. diabetes) is strongly recommended and may successfully reduce triglyceride
levels.1 If triglyceride levels remain high in these patients despite lipid-lowering treatment, consider discussion
with a specialist.1
Table 1: Five-year CVD risk levels for lipid-lowering interventions in patients aged under 75 years1,4,7
New CVD risk level
(based on NZ Primary Prevention equations) |
Old CVD risk level
(based on Framingham equations) |
Recommendation |
| < 5% |
< 10% |
Lifestyle interventions are recommended for all people. Lipid-lowering medicines are not recommended. |
| 5–15% |
10–20% |
The benefit of lipid lowering treatment is likely to outweigh adverse effects in most people. Discuss clearly
the benefits and harms of initiating lipid-lowering medicines for patients and encourage dietary changes. If lipid-lowering
medicines are started, a target reduction in LDL-C of ≥ 40% is recommended. |
| ≥ 15% |
≥ 20% |
Lipid-lowering medicines are strongly recommended for patients in addition to dietary changes. An LDL-C treatment
target of < 1.8mmol/L is recommended. |
| TC:HDL-C ratio ≥ 8 with any level of cardiovascular risk |
Lipid-lowering medicines are recommended |
- Familial hypercholesterolaemia
- Hypertriglyceridaemia
|
Individualised management is required, lipid-lowering medicines are usually recommended regardless of estimated CVD risk |
Lifestyle interventions remain important for all
The most effective dietary approach to lowering LDL-C while continuing to maintain or improve HDL-C is to substitute
saturated fats with mono- and polyunsaturated dietary fats.1 Following a “heart health” diet and other sustainable
lifestyle interventions such as exercise and smoking cessation should be encouraged for all patients. Those with the highest
CVD risk have the greatest potential to benefit from lifestyle changes and advice should be tailored to the individual.1
Starting pharmacological treatment – statins are preferred
Evidence shows that statins are the most effective choice of cholesterol lowering medicine and therefore remain the
recommended first line pharmacological treatment.5, 8, 9 This also applies to patients requiring lipid-lowering
treatment for familial hypercholesterolaemia or high triglycerides.5, 8
Statins vary in potency; their approximate equivalence is shown in Table 2. Atorvastatin is the
first line choice of statin in New Zealand for most patients
(also see rosuvastatin bpac.org.nz/2022/rosuvastatin.aspx.
It is recommended that prior to initiation of a statin, other causes of dyslipidaemia should be considered such as hypothyroidism,
renal disease or treatment with corticosteroids.1
Table 2: Statin potency and approximate equivalence (adapted from1)
| Treatment intensity |
% reduction LDL-C |
Rosuvastatin |
Atorvastatin |
Simvastatin** |
Pravastatin |
| Low |
30 |
|
|
10 mg |
20 mg |
| Medium |
38 |
|
10 mg |
20 mg |
40 mg |
| Medium |
41 |
5 mg |
20 mg |
40 mg |
80 mg |
| High |
47 |
10 mg |
40 mg |
80 mg |
|
| High |
55 |
20 mg |
80 mg |
|
|
| Very High |
63 |
40 mg |
|
|
|
** Doses of simvastatin above 40 mg should be used with caution due an increased risk of myopathy
New targets have been recommended
The Consensus Statement includes new recommendations for target LDL-C levels once lipid-lowering medicines have been
initiated.
New LDL-C target for people at high risk
A LDL-C treatment target of 1.8 mmol/L or less is recommended for high risk patients.1
Aim for 40 % reduction in LDL-C in people with a 5–15 % five-year risk
Once lipid-lowering treatment has been started for people in this risk group, the aim should be to achieve a reduction
of 40% or greater in LDL-C.1 This is a new addition in the Consensus Statement and is based on a similar recommendation
in the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guideline.1, 8
Adverse effects of statins
Most people tolerate statins well and serious adverse effects from treatment are rare.1 If patients report
symptoms after the initiation of statin treatment it is recommended that the statin is stopped, and then when symptoms
have resolved, the statin re-started and the patient monitored for a return of symptoms.1 If symptoms recur
consider lowering the dose, alternate day dosing or switching to an alternative statin.10
It is estimated that:1
- Five people out of every 10,000 treated for five years will develop myopathy
- A further 10–20 people out of every 10,000 treated per year will have muscle-related problems, however, only one of
these is likely to have elevated creatine kinase levels (see “Monitoring for adverse effects”)
- 50–100 new cases of diabetes will occur for every 10,000 people treated for five years, however, harms from this are
outweighed by the reduction in CVD risk
Other reported statin-associated symptoms include effects on cognitive function, primarily memory loss and confusion
but also effects on sleep and mood, and changes in hepatic and renal function. There is a lack of evidence that these
symptoms are actually caused by statins but they are clinically important as they contribute to the way people feel about
taking statins and can result in poor adherence and cessation.
Check for medicine interactions – statins can have serious interactions with some other medicines;
in particular, be aware of the interaction between simvastatin and potent CYP3A4 inhibitors such as erythromycin, clarithromycin,
azole antifungals (e.g. itraconazole, ketaconazole) and ciclosporin, which can result in rhabdomyolysis.
For further information on managing adverse effects of statins see:
Prescribing statins to reduce cardiovascular risk bpacNZ, September 2017
For further information on medicine interactions see: New Zealand Formulary
Monitoring after initiation of a statin
Monitoring for response
Once a statin is initiated, re-check a non-fasting lipid level every six to 12 months until the agreed treatment target
has been reached and annually after that.1 Previously the advice was to monitor three to six monthly until stable.4
Monitoring for adverse effects
Liver function tests are not routinely required once a statin has been initiated as the risk of liver toxicity appears
low.1 It is also not necessary to routinely check creatine kinase (CK) unless symptoms of muscle pain, tenderness
or weakness develop which could indicate myopathy.1 The risk of myopathy is dose-related and is increased in
older people and those on combination lipid-lowering treatments*.1 Advice from the new consensus statement
regarding interpretation and management of CK testing is as follows:1
- For muscle pain without a rise in CK, consider reducing the dose or discontinuing the statin but also consider re-challenging
once symptoms subside
- With a CK rise 3–10 times above normal with symptoms, reduce the dose or discontinue the statin and monitor symptoms
and CK weekly
- With a CK rise more than 10 times above normal with symptoms, discontinue the statin immediately
* The use of a statin and a fibrate is now often advised against due to this increased risk 8
