Lipid-lowering therapy for the primary prevention of coronary heart disease

Primary prevention of coronary heart disease is a critical component of reducing the societal burden of atherosclerosis. In the current editorial, data from trials of lipid modification as primary-prevention strategies will be reviewed. Trials of the HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors have demonstrated significant benefits on coronary morbidity in patients without heart disease, and the implications of these studies on current guidelines will be discussed with a focus on the Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention Study (AFCAPS/TexCAPS).