What is the LDL cholesterol goal for patients with known coronary artery disease?

For patients with known coronary artery disease (CAD), the recommended LDL cholesterol goal is less than 100 mg/dL. This target is based on clinical guidelines that emphasize the importance of controlling cholesterol levels to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events in individuals who have already been diagnosed with heart disease. The rationale behind this target is that lower levels of LDL cholesterol are associated with a decreased risk of heart attacks and other complications related to atherosclerosis.

Achieving and maintaining an LDL level below 100 mg/dL can be crucial for these patients, as it indicates that they are managing one of the key risk factors associated with the progression of their condition. Additionally, for very high-risk patients, such as those with multiple risk factors or significant heart disease, even lower targets may be recommended in certain clinical scenarios, but the universal goal remains below 100 mg/dL for most patients with CAD.

Higher targets, such as those above 100 mg/dL, do not align with the established guidelines for optimal management in this patient population, making the goal of less than 100 mg/dL the most appropriate choice.