Can't Lower Your Cholesterol?

A new study suggests that use of lipid-lowering drugs to control cholesterol levels might not be as successful in HIVers who also have other cardiovascular disease risks, such as being overweight, smoking, or having diabetes or hypertension. Management of blood-based lipid levels is a key component in lowering cardiovascular risks for HIVers, particularly as they grow older. Lipid-lowering drugs, such as statins, are often prescribed to keep cholesterol and triglyceride levels in check. Scientists looked at the medical records of nearly 1,700 HIVers and discovered varying levels of success in reaching target blood-based lipid levels based on the number of additional cardiac risk factors present. Only 36.4% of those in the highest-risk group'defined as having the most additional risk factors'reached lipid target levels, compared to: ''52.5% in the moderately high-risk group, ''62% in the moderate-risk group, and ''86% of those in the low-risk group.