 Elevated plasma cholesterol hypercholesterolemia and various other plasma lipid imbalances dyslipidemias are major risk factors for coronary heart disease. It has been established that lowering the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol plasma concentration effectively reduces cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. As a result of this finding, the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III identifies control of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol as essential in the prevention and management of coronary heart disease. 