Tag Archives: residual cardiovascular risk

This supplement is a report from the inaugural meeting of the Cardiometabolic Forum, jointly organised by the British Journal of Cardiology and HEART UK – The Cholesterol Charity. The meeting was held at the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, London, on 24th November 2011. Meeting chairs were Dr Dermot Neely (Royal Victoria Infirmary, Newcastle upon Tyne) for HEART UK, and Dr Henry Purcell (Royal Brompton Hospital, London, and Editor) for BJC. We hope this supplement will provide readers with an independent overview on recent developments in our knowledge of cholesterol metabolism and its implications for clinical practice. Speakers Dermot Neely

There is conclusive evidence that lowering low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels with statins reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease events. However, it is also clear that a substantial residual cardiovascular risk persists, despite best treatment efforts.1,2 Some of this residual risk will be determined by modifiable risk factors, such as lipids, hypertension, tobacco use and diabetes. Further reducing apolipoprotein (apo) B-containing atherogenic lipoproteins or increasing atheroprotective lipoproteins, specifically raising high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol,2 are alternative proposed approaches to reducing this risk.