These new guidelines are adopted by the Jordanian Endocrinology Society & Jordanian Atherosclerotic Society.

Amman, 15 August 2011: With a number of international studies* confirming the benefits of further reducing LDL in relation to a significant reduction in CV events, the European Society of Cardiology and the European Atherosclerosis Society have issued new guidelines calling on men over 40 and women over 50 who have very high risk factors,including diabetes, history of coronary heart disease, or chronic kidney disease, to further reduce their LDL levels to around 70 mg instead of the currently accepted norm of 100 mg in order to lower their risk of CV events and enhance their quality of life.

"All people in these categories are thus advised to ensure their LDL levels are closer to 70 rather than the currently accepted "normal" level of 100mg/dl  so they reduce their risk for CV events," said Dr Abdul Karim Khawaldeh, President of the Jordanian Endocrinology Society.

It is interesting to note, added Dr Taroub Khoury, president of the Jordanian Atherosclerosis society that "Recent studies, such as Jupiter study, have shown that a significant reduction in CV events can be achieved in yet another profile of patients ,men over 50 & women over 60 yrs, with risk factors such as blood pressure (BP≥130/85), smoking, fasting blood glucose above 110 mg/dl, or excess weight in even if they have "normal" LDL levels of around 100 mg/dl,"

The risk reduction in CV events included reducing stroke by 48% and myocardial infarction by 54%, while dropping the potential need for arterial revascularization (ex stents) by 46%.

Other high risk factors for people in those age groups include a family history of early cardiovascular diseases, having low levels of "good cholesterol" HDL, and metabolic syndrome issues.

According to the 2003 World Health Report, 16.7 million - or 29.2% of total global deaths - result from the various forms of cardiovascular disease. Diseases affecting the heart and circulatory system also impose an enormous burden on the healthcare system, estimated to account for 10% of healthcare costs in the European Union.

The long-standing illness of coronary heart disease is also a leading cause of premature and permanent disability in the labor force. In the US, the estimated direct and indirect cost of CVD for 2008 was $475.3 billion.

-Ends-

About Cholesterol
Cholesterol is a soft, fat-like substance found in the bloodstream and in all of the body's cells. It's an essential structural component of cell membranes, and a required tool for the manufacture of certain key vitamins. Though the human body produces all the cholesterol it needs, certain foods people consume that are rich in saturated fats, trans fats and cholesterol tend to raise blood cholesterol levels. This is dangerous because most cardiovascular events are caused by a buildup of fat, cholesterol and other substances called plaque in the inner walls of arteries - reducing blood flow by causing them to become clogged and narrow. A heart attack occurs when a blood clot forms and blocks flow to the heart muscle, while strokes are the result of a clot blocking an artery leading to or in the brain.

Cholesterol management
Not smoking, losing weight, exercise and a diet lower in fat generally help reduce the levels of "bad" cholesterol LDL and increase "good" cholesterol HDL in the blood. In addition, a number of medications known as "statins" significantly help reduce LDL levels, especially among patients with hereditary predispositions to high blood cholesterol and those falling within high risk groups.

© Press Release 2011