Cardiovascular outcomes in patients using lipid lowering therapy - is timely and intensified control reaching a treatment target?

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death globally and in Australia. The presence of risk factors, such as hypertension and dyslipidaemia, are one of the prominent comorbidities associated with increased CVD mortality. The reduction of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with lipid lowering therapy (LLT) has demonstrated to decrease the risk of developing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality in both primary and secondary prevention emphasizing the need for the early achievement of LDL-C targets. The clinical guidelines recommends that those in risk of cardiovascular disease (primary prevention cohort) should be treated with lipid-lowering therapy, but there is no specific guidance regarding medication intensification, LDL-C follow up and timeliness to achieve targets, and CVD outcomes. Unfortunately, a large number of patients managed in primary health practices (two thirds) do not achieve recommended LDL-C target and remain in significant risk of premature CVD morbidity. To address the current gaps in lipid management, this project will investigate real-world evidence on the effectiveness of the intensification of lipid therapy and regularity of follow ups in primary health practices on CVD prevention.