cardiovascular-agents and Hyperlipoproteinemias

Ischemic heart disease and contributing risk factors such as the hyperlipoproteinemic states affect a great percentage of the general population. Because these disease processes can effectively place patients at risk for a life-threatening event, every health care provider must be knowledgeable, disciplined to take a thorough medical history, and prepared for emergency situations that may arise in the clinical practice of dentistry. A proactive approach to identification of risk factors and to primary prevention of ischemic heart disease not only helps to lengthen and improve the quality of patient's lives, but also ensures that necessary modifications of treatment reflect each patient's medical and pharmacologic status.

Topics: Cardiovascular Agents; Dental Care for Chronically Ill; Emergencies; Humans; Hyperlipoproteinemias; Hypolipidemic Agents; Medical History Taking; Myocardial Ischemia; Quality of Life; Risk Factors

Topics: Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; Age Factors; Angioplasty, Balloon; Anti-Arrhythmia Agents; Anticoagulants; Cardiovascular Agents; Coronary Artery Bypass; Diabetes Mellitus; Humans; Hypercholesterolemia; Hyperlipoproteinemias; Hypertension; Myocardial Infarction; Physical Exertion; Platelet Aggregation; Risk; Smoking Prevention

In 10 North American study populations, we surveyed alterations in blood cholesterol, triglyceride, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels associated with the use of 20 categories of prescription medications. In addition, odds ratios for use of these medication categories were determined for five of the more common dyslipoproteinemias found in these populations. Increased lipid levels were found in association with use of several categories of cardiovascular drugs as well as allopurinol and warfarin. Decreased lipid levels were found in association with anti-infective agents and thyroid hormone. Few significant lipid level alterations were found with the use of antihistamines, barbiturates, analgesics, and the phenothiazines. The associations described here must be interpreted cautiously because of limitations in the study design, particularly the confounding effects of the conditions under drug treatment. However, several drug-lipid effects are suggested that may alter lipid levels and that require experimental confirmation. These findings have implications for both clinical management of individuals with dyslipoproteinemias and in the determinants and modification of population lipid levels.

Topics: Adult; Allopurinol; Amitriptyline; Analgesics; Anti-Infective Agents; Anti-Inflammatory Agents; Autonomic Agents; Barbiturates; Cardiovascular Agents; Female; Histamine H1 Antagonists; Humans; Hyperlipoproteinemias; Hypolipoproteinemias; Male; Middle Aged; Phenothiazines; Thyroid Hormones; Warfarin