The 2026 ACC/AHA Dyslipidemia Guidelines highlight that Lp(a) confers a graded ASCVD risk, with levels around 125 nmol/L (50 mg/dL) indicating meaningful risk and ~250 nmol/L (100 mg/dL) identifying a substantially higher risk phenotype. Coronary artery calcium scoring and hsCRP are recommended selectively to refine risk assessment when traditional estimates are uncertain. Importantly, harmonization with the ESC/EAS guidelines reinforces a unified approach to prevention. Overall, the message is to keep prevention simple — start with accurate risk assessment and prioritize blood pressure and lipid management, beginning with optimization of diet and physical activity.

In this interview, Kim Allan Williams, Sr., MD, MACC and Roger S. Blumenthal, MD, FACC discuss key takeaways from the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guideline.

Related References:

1. Blumenthal RS, Morris PB, Gaudino M, et al. 2026 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. J Am Coll Cardiol. Published online March 13, 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2025.11.016
2. Razavi AC, Sokolsky M, Belanger M, et al. Progress in risk assessment and management: Forecasting updates across international cholesterol guidelines. Am J Prev Cardiol. 2026;26:101417. Published 2026 Jan 10. doi:10.1016/j.ajpc.2026.101417
3. Krishnan V, Huang X, Zhang S, et al. Age and Sex-Specific Percentiles of 30-Year Cardiovascular Disease Risk Based on the PREVENT Equations. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2025;86(21):2017-2027. doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2025.09.1509