New Delhi: Amid growing concerns around the alarming rise in cardiovascular events in the country, the Cardiological Society of India (CSI) – the largest network of cardiologists – has released the first ever Indian guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia, the biggest risk factor behind strokes and heart attacks, which are cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Dyslipidemia refers to abnormal levels of lipids in the bloodstream characterised by high total cholesterol, elevated LDL-cholesterol (low density lipoprotein-cholesterol or bad cholesterol), high triglycerides, and low HDL-cholesterol (high density lipoprotein-cholesterol or good cholesterol). A study published in June 2023 in the journal The Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology , and supported by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), showed that the national prevalence of dyslipidemia stands at an alarming 81.
2 percent in India. A total of 1,13,043 people participated in the study, which was conducted between October 2008 and December 2020. For the first time, the CSI guidelines are aimed at clinicians, individuals and medical laboratories.
The cut-off range for various lipid markers has been modified based on risk assessment for individuals. These guidelines have also been published in the Indian Heart Journal . Also read: Blockbuster diabetes & obesity drug gets nod for India launch but may be available only next year The CSI has recommended that the general population and low-risk individuals maintain LDL-C.