Diabetes clinics in yelahanka New Town, Bangalore • Treatment of dyslipidaemia The important components of a treatment program for dyslipidaemia are as follows: 1 calculate the patient’s total risk 2 reduce the patient’s weight (reduces triglycerides, cholesterol) 3 increase the patient’s exercise activity (increases HDL, aids weight management) 4 modify the patient’s diet, as follows: • ensure maximum of 30% kJ from fat • ensure maximum of 30% fat as saturated fat • increase plant and fish sources of fat • increase anti-oxidant nutrients from food • reduce alcohol intake if triglyceride level or blood pressure is high 5 treat secondary causes (drugs, diabetes, hypothyroidism) 6 modify other risk factors (e.g. smoking) to reduce overall risk 7 consider drug treatment. By ranking patients according to their risk of future coronary events it is possible to tailor treatment (especially drug treatment) appropriately. This is the basis for the current recommendations for lipid management in the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule. This rather complicated schedule tries to take into account the importance of combinations of risk factors Drug treatment should be delayed in most patients without existing coronary disease until after six weeks to three months of dietary and lifestyle intervention, with the possible exception of those at very high risk. At present, the following drugs are used in the treatment of dyslipidaemia: statins (HMGcoA reductase inhibitors) absorption inhibitors resins