Four higher risk patient groups have been identified in whom the benefit of statin therapy outweighs the risk of adverse events: Patients with clinical ASCVD Patients with LDL cholesterol ≥ 190 mg / dL (≥ 4.9 mmol / L) Patients age 40 to 75 years with diabetes and LDL cholesterol levels of 70 to 189 mg / dL (1.8 to 4.9 mmol / L) Patients age 40 to 75 years without diabetes and LDL cholesterol levels of 70 to 189 mg / dL (1.8 to 4.9 mmol / L) with ASCVD risk > 7.5% Nicotinic acid or a fibrate may be added for patients with an HDL cholesterol level < 40 mg / dL (< 1.03 mmol / L), although several trials have failed to demonstrate a lower risk of ischemia or slowed progression of atherosclerosis when drugs are used to raise HDL (3).