Data Support New Cholesterol Treatment Guidelines

The study findings may persuade physicians that they can use the equations to obtain valid information. “We hope that showing that the formula works in a large nationwide group of adults will lead doctors to use it,” said Dr. Muntner. “In turn, this [practice] could lead to higher rates of appropriate use of statins and reduction in heart attack and stroke risk.”

The REGARDS study is ongoing, but follow-up at the time of the current analyses was limited to five years. Dr. Muntner’s group plans to perform additional analyses when data from a longer follow-up of participants become available.

—Erik Greb