On the statins, correcting plasma lipid levels, and preventing the clinical sequelae of atherosclerotic coronary heart disease.

The statins correct plasma lipid levels optimally, yet the real magnitude of their benefits is marginal and certainly not better than attained with agents that do not affect plasma lipid levels. It is suggested that some of our recommendations and actions relating to plasma cholesterol levels and to atherosclerosis are based on concepts that are fundamentally flawed and need to be revised.