LAI Announces Revised Guidelines For Indian Heart Patients

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The Lipid Association of India (LAI) announces Revised guidelines on heart disease for patients in India. The updated guidelines include new data on cardiovascular risk assessment and lipid management.

According to new guidelines, patients have been divided into different risk groups. Dr. Raman Puri, a cardiologist and founder chairman of LAI, suggests that people with metabolic syndrome and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) should aim to keep their LDL cholesterol levels below 70mg/dL.

A new category has been introduced called 'Extreme Risk Group Category C' for patients who continue to experience chest pain despite all available treatments. According to Dr. Vinod M Vijan, an interventional cardiologist, individuals in this category should ideally have LDL cholesterol levels ranging between 10-15 mg/dL.

The Lipid Association of India (LAI) recommends getting a regular lipid profile screening from the age of 20. If there is a family history of high cholesterol or premature coronary heart disease in men under 55 years and women under 65 years, the screening should start from the age of two.

As per Dr. Puri, if there are adopted children or families with high levels of lipoprotein (a), lipid profile screenings should start at the age of two, or as early as possible if that is not feasible. The new guidelines suggest adding lipoprotein (a) evaluation to lipid profile tests for initial screening because it is common among 25% of Indians.