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Cholesterol and hypertension

Authoring team


Use the QRISK3 tool to calculate the estimated CVD risk within the next 10 years for people aged between 25 and 84 without CVD.

  • in primary prevention of CVD aim for a greater than 40% reduction in non-HDL cholesterol. Offer atorvastatin 20 mg for the primary prevention of CVD to people who have a 10‑year QRISK3 score of 10% or more
  • for secondary prevention of CVD, aim for LDL cholesterol levels of 2.0 mmol per litre or less, or non-HDL cholesterol levels of 2.6 mmol per litre or less. Offer atorvastatin 80 mg to people with CVD, whatever their cholesterol level, unless:
  • it could react with other drugs
  • there is a high risk of adverse effects
  • the person would prefer to take a lower dose.

In such cases, offer a lower dose of atorvastatin.

Reference

  1. NICE. Cardiovascular disease: risk assessment and reduction, including lipid modification. NICE guideline NG238. Published December 2023

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