Medical body updates guidelines, expands lipid profile test

Pune: Lipid Association of India (LAI) has updated its guidelines on cardiovascular risk assessment and lipid management, building upon 2016 guidelines with new data on heart disease in Indians.

The new guidelines have stratified patients into various risk groups. "The guidelines recommend LDL cholesterol should be less than 70mg/dL in patients with metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)," Dr Raman Puri, cardiologist and founder chairman of LAI said.

"Additionally, a new category termed 'Extreme Risk Group Category C' has been established for a small number of patients, who continue to experience chest pain despite all possible treatments. In this category, LDL cholesterol levels should ideally be within the range of 10-15 mg/dL," said interventional cardiologist Dr Vinod M Vijan.

LAI has also been pushing for routine lipid profile screenings from age 20 and at the age of two for individuals with a family history of high cholesterol or premature coronary heart disease (in men aged less than 55 years and women aged less than 65 years). For adopted children or those in families with elevated lipoprotein (a), lipid profiles screening should start at the age two, or if not possible, as early as possible, Puri said.

New guidelines recommend lipid profile tests to include lipoprotein (a) assessment for initial screening of an individual, given its [lipoprotein (a)] higher prevalence among 25 per cent of Indians.