| Primary prevention of cardiovascular disease | | |
| Patients with elevated cholesterol levels should reduce dietary fat consumption. However, this step may lead to only a small reduction in cardiovascular events. | A | 4,5 |
| Statin medications are indicated to decrease cardiovascular events in patients with elevated cholesterol levels, although a decrease in cardiovascular and all-cause mortality has not been demonstrated. | A | 8 to 13,15 |
| Following a Mediterranean diet may reduce all-cause mortality. | B | 7 |
| Secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease |
| Statin medications should be used for aggressive lipid control in patients with CHD to decrease cardiovascular events, cardiovascular mortality, and overall mortality. | A | 26 to 30 |
| Cholesterol-lowering medications prevent disease progression and improve symptoms in patients with lower limb atherosclerosis. Statins can decrease cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality in these patients. | A | 31,50 |
| Cholesterol-lowering medications should be used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with a history of CHD and average-to-high cholesterol levels. | A | 35,45,46,47 |