Summary of ATP-III LDL cholesterol and triglyceride goals by risk category
| Risk category . | Threshold to initiate TLC . | Threshold to consider drug therapy . |
|---|---|---|
| High risk: goal LDL-C < 100 mg/dL (optional < 70) | ||
| CHD or CHD risk equivalents* (10-year risk > 20%) | ≥ 100 mg/dL | ≥ 100 mg/dL (< 100 mg/dL: consider drug) |
| Moderately high risk: goal LDL-C < 130 mg/dL (optional < 100) | ||
| 2 or more risk factors† (10-year risk 10%-20%) | ≥ 130 mg/dL | ≥ 130 mg/dL (100-129 mg/dL: consider drug) |
| Moderate risk: goal LDL-C < 130 mg/dL | ||
| 2 or more risk factors (risk < 10%) | ≥ 130 mg/dL | ≥ 160 mg/dL |
| Lower risk: Goal LDL-C < 160 mg/dL | ||
| 0 or 1 risk factor | ≥ 160 mg/dL | ≥ 190 mg/dL (160-189 mg/dL: drug optional) |
| Severe hypertriglyceridemia (> 500 mg/dL): triglyceride goal < 500 mg/dL | > 500 mg/dL | > 500 mg/dL |
| Moderate hypertriglyceridemia (200-500 mg/dL): triglyceride goal < 200 mg/dL | > 200 mg/dL | Consider modifying therapy to reach secondary non-HDL cholesterol‡ goal (only after LDL goal reached) |
| Risk category . | Threshold to initiate TLC . | Threshold to consider drug therapy . |
|---|---|---|
| High risk: goal LDL-C < 100 mg/dL (optional < 70) | ||
| CHD or CHD risk equivalents* (10-year risk > 20%) | ≥ 100 mg/dL | ≥ 100 mg/dL (< 100 mg/dL: consider drug) |
| Moderately high risk: goal LDL-C < 130 mg/dL (optional < 100) | ||
| 2 or more risk factors† (10-year risk 10%-20%) | ≥ 130 mg/dL | ≥ 130 mg/dL (100-129 mg/dL: consider drug) |
| Moderate risk: goal LDL-C < 130 mg/dL | ||
| 2 or more risk factors (risk < 10%) | ≥ 130 mg/dL | ≥ 160 mg/dL |
| Lower risk: Goal LDL-C < 160 mg/dL | ||
| 0 or 1 risk factor | ≥ 160 mg/dL | ≥ 190 mg/dL (160-189 mg/dL: drug optional) |
| Severe hypertriglyceridemia (> 500 mg/dL): triglyceride goal < 500 mg/dL | > 500 mg/dL | > 500 mg/dL |
| Moderate hypertriglyceridemia (200-500 mg/dL): triglyceride goal < 200 mg/dL | > 200 mg/dL | Consider modifying therapy to reach secondary non-HDL cholesterol‡ goal (only after LDL goal reached) |
Adapted from Grundy et al.31
TLC indicates therapeutic lifestyle change.
Equivalents: abdominal aortic aneurysm, carotid stenosis, peripheral arterial disease, diabetes, or 2 or more risk factors with 10-year risk > 20%.
Risk factors: smoking, hypertension, low HDL (< 40 mg/dL), family history of premature CHD, and age (men ≥ 45 years, women ≥ 55 years).
Non-HDL cholesterol = total cholesterol-HDL; goal is 30 points higher than LDL goal (ie, non-HDL cholesterol goal < 130 mg/dL for LDL goal of < 100 mg/dL).