Lipid-lowering drugs and control of hypercholesterolemia in Poland: recent evidence.

The role of hypercholesterolemia as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease has been well-documented. Hypercholesterolemia is the most prevalent modifiable risk factor in Poland. Despite the fact that the benefits of cholesterol lowering have been known for a long time, the therapeutic goals recommended by guidelines are still often not attained in clinical practice. Only 3% of Poles with hypercholesterolemia achieve recommended cholesterol levels, and the rate of reaching recommended goals among patients receiving lipid-lowering drugs is low, approximately 30%. Control of hypercholesterolemia is not satisfactory also in patients with ischemic heart disease. The introduction of new statins, use of higher statin doses, and the evidence pointing to the effectiveness of combination therapy have provided us with effective tools whose broad application in everyday practice may lead to a significant improvement in the control of hypercholesterolemia in Poland.