Office of Continuing Medical Education

Reduced levels of HDL-cholesterol are common in patients with coronary heart disease, even when target levels of LDL-cholesterol are achieved. This online activity provides an overview of the epidemiology of HDL-cholesterol and demonstrates its role in risk assessment for coronary heart disease. The estimated time to complete this activity, including review of the materials, is 1.0 hour(s).

This online activity reviews the pathophysiologic mechanisims that accelerate atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes and the role of visceral adipose tissue in the process of vascular injury. The goal of the activity is to help clinicians understand the actions of visceral adipose tissue as an endocrine/metabolic organ and to provide another rationale for weight management. The estimated time to complete this activity, including review of the materials, is 1.0 hour(s). 

This online activity reviews the principles of statin therapy and how such therapy can be optimized to reduce the risk of future morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease. The goal of this activity is to assist clinicians in choosing appropriate initial statin doses and then to appropriately monitor for and manage potential side effects. The estimated time to complete this activity, including review of the materials, is 1.0 hour(s).

Mixed hyperlipidemia is characterized by a concurrent elevation in LDL-cholesterol and triglycerides that is usually accompanied by a reduced level of HDL-cholesterol. Even when patients achieve their LDL-C goal with treatment, their triglycerides may remain elevated. Using a case-based approach, this virtual meeting demonstrates the importance of this secondary treatment target and discusses the various combination therapies that can be used to treat patients with persistent triglyceride elevations. The estimated time to complete this activity, including review of the materials, is 1.0 hour(s).