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The article focuses on the effectiveness of statins in the treatment of stable coronary heart disease (CHD). Secondary prevention trials have shown that statins reduce the clinical consequences of atherosclerosis, including death from cardiovascular causes and heart failure. Current guidelines for patients with stable CHD recommend a low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol level of less than 100 mg per deciliter. Researcher J.C. LaRosa and associates have studied the effectiveness and safety of reducing LDL cholesterol levels in patients with stable CHD to less than 70 mg per deciliter. The article states that patients and their physicians should be careful in weighing the benefits of a reduction in the risk of cardiovascular events against death risks from noncardiovascular causes.