Addressing lipid treatment targets beyond cholesterol: a role for prescription omega-3 fatty acid therapy.

Decreasing very high triglyceride (TG) levels (>or=500 mg/dL) is recommended to prevent pancreatitis. Decreasing low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is the primary lipid treatment target to reduce the risk of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease. A secondary lipid treatment target for patients at LDL-C goal, but with persistent TG elevations, includes achievement of non-high density lipoprotein cholesterol goals (non-HDL-C).