To evaluate the effect of atorvastatin 80 mg, versus placebo, given for 12 months on carotid intima-media thickness in postmenopausal women with moderate hypercholesterolemia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Postmenopausal women defined as having Age =< 70 years with documented menopause
• Fasting LDL cholesterol 130 mg/ dl (3.37 mmol/l)and =< 190 mg/ dl (4.92 mmol/l) after 6 weeks of diet
• Triglycerides =< 4 g/l(4.52 mmol/l)
• Informed, written consent

Exclusion Criteria:

• Age > 70 years
• Unconfirmed menopause
• Overall duration of treatment with any HMG-CoA Reductase inhibitor > 3 months within the last year
• Patient treated with any lipid-lowering drugs within the last 6 weeks preceding the randomization
• History of myocardial infarction, coronary bypass surgery, angioplasty, stroke or TIA
• CPK levels > 3 times upper limit of normal
• Body Mass Index >= 30