Atherosclerosis is a multifactorial disease for which hyperlipidaemia is but one of several important risk factors. Other risk factors should therefore also be evaluated and treated in their own right. In particular, cigarette smoking should be discouraged in the strongest possible terms. Smoking cessation is also associated with an increase in HDL- cholesterol levels.
Hypertension should be treated when indicated, although it should be noted that use of diuretics and beta-adrenergic blocking agents may aggravate hyperlipidaemia. Lipid neutral or beneficial antihypertensive agents therefore may be more appropriate.
