Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is a primary mediator of atherosclerosis.

Age (men of age 45 years or older, women of age 55 years or older)

HDL <A onclick="get_content(event,'AB1-M12'); return false;" onmouseover="window.status=this.title; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;" title="<40 mg per dL

Smoking

Hypertension (blood pressure [BP] ” class=LK href=”javascript:void(0)” target=right xpath=”/CT{06b9ee1beed59419a81e5e1e1a4f60b0cc8cd1057525de73425b2b43f4df7f1b75d2129a25d01f3042ff2fa0b188b440}/ID(AB1-M10)”>>140/90 or patient is taking antihypertensives)

Family history of premature CHD (first degree male younger than 55 years, first degree female younger than 65 years)

Diabetes

Framingham risk score (age, cholesterol, HDL, BP, smoking status) of 20% or higher

Diet—low in saturated fat and trans fatty acids; cholesterol <A onclick="get_content(event,'AB1-M12'); return false;" onmouseover="window.status=this.title; return true;" onmouseout="window.status=''; return true;" title="<200 mg per day

Physical activity—aerobic exercise increases HDL and decreases TG

Weight loss—decreases LDL and improves insulin sensitivity

No smoking—increases HDL

Statins (↓ LDL significantly, ↑ HDL somewhat, ↓ TG somewhat)

Fibric acids (↓ LDL slightly, ↑ HDL, ↓ TG significantly)