2026 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia

“While we want to try to optimize healthy lifestyle habits as the first step to lower cholesterol, we realize that if lipid numbers aren't within the desirable range after a period of lifestyle optimization, we should consider adding lipid-lowering medication earlier than we would have considered 10 years ago. Lower [LDL-C] for longer, just like lower blood pressure for longer, results in much greater protection against future heart attack and stroke risk.”

Pamela B. MorrisCardiologist, Medical University of South Carolina

“In general, lower LDL is better, especially for people at increased risk for a heart attack or stroke. Clinical trials have clearly demonstrated significant benefits for reduction in cardiovascular events when LDL-C levels are even lower than recommended in previous guidelines.”

“Dyslipidemia, or high cholesterol, refers to abnormal levels of lipids. They can be a low HDL cholesterol, a high LDL cholesterol and elevated triglycerides or a combination. Now we have a much greater emphasis in our guidelines about lipoprotein(a), a cholesterol-like substance. Elevated Lp(a) is also one type of dyslipidemia. We know that each of these lipid abnormalities can contribute to the buildup of fatty deposits in the arteries, and that leads to both a higher risk of heart attack and stroke.”