Detection and management of dyslipidemias in the psychiatric patient population

Coronary heart disease (CHD) accounts annually for half of all deaths in the United States. The morbidity and mortaility of CHD can be reduced with early and aggressive treatment. Mentally illnesses are at special risk because of their associated higher rates of smoking compared with the general population. Risk factor modification is a necessary component of the treatment plan and includes smoking cessation, weight reduction, increased physical activity, or a combination of these. Using guidelines set forth by the National Cholesterol Education Program, psychiatric physicians can screen for patients with elevated cholesterol, provide education or methods to modify risk factors, initiate cholesterol-lowering therapy, and monitor patients to ensure that goal low-density lipoprotein is achieved. The clinical outcome anticipated is reduced risk of cardiovascular-related event and decreased cost to the health care system.