Changes in cardiovascular risk factors by combined pharmacological and nonpharmacological strategies: the main results of the CELL Study

Abstract

As expected, lipid-lowering medication reduced serum cholesterol as well as overall cardiovascular risk in subjects with several risk factors for cardiovascular disease. There was no additive effect of intensive advice to these subjects. However, there was a meagre but significant effect of intensive advice in subjects not receiving active lipid-lowering drugs. One explanation for this difference may be that those on active lipid-lowering medication who had substantial drops in cholesterol might have felt less inclined to change their lifestyle compared with those on other treatment regimens who had less successful drops in cholesterol. There was no benefit from the ritual of taking daily medication.