Myocardial Infarction Quality Measures
Lipid Lowering Therapy at Discharge
According to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA): “Aggressive cholesterol lowering after a cardiac event can result in a 31 percent reduction in rates of fatal and nonfatal reinfarction [subsequent heart attack] and a 21 percent reduction in all causes of mortality. Screening and management of serum cholesterol, especially low-density lipoprotein (LDL-C), is an important and effective way to reduce the suffering and disability caused by coronary heart disease (CHD).”
A variety of cholesterol lowering medications are available, and when used in conjunction with the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute’s recommended therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC), these medications can improve overall health and reduce the risk of death and disability.