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New guidelines released on preventing heart attacks, strokes

The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology released the first new guidelines in 10 years for preventing heart disease and strokes. Right now, cholesterol-lowering statins, like

News 12 Staff

Nov 14, 2013, 4:19 AM

Updated 4,039 days ago

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The American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology released the first new guidelines in 10 years for preventing heart disease and strokes.

Right now, cholesterol-lowering statins, like Lipitor and Zocor, are used on 15 percent of adults. Under the new guidelines, one-third of Americans would meet the criteria. These groups include people who already have heart disease, adults ages 40 to 75 who have a genetic risk and an LDL score of 190 or higher, and adults with Type 2 diabetes.

Doctors say the other big distinction with these new guidelines is that they'll no longer be looking to keep cholesterol below a certain number.

The guidelines also pay more attention to risk factors like gender, race, diet, exercise and smoking.