04/06/2026
Not everything in the latest Dyslipidemia Guidelines is new. But, one of the most important themes in the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guidelines isn’t a single recommendation—it’s a shift in how we think about risk.
A few highlights that stood out:
✅️ Cumulative exposure is finally being emphasized
Atherosclerosis is not a snapshot—it’s a timeline. The duration of exposure to elevated LDL and other atherogenic particles plays a central role in disease progression. Earlier screening isn’t just proactive—it’s necessary.
✅️ Risk stratification is evolving—but still incomplete without context
Tools like PREVENT are a step forward, it includes even more information and helps to overcome the overestimation of risk by other tools like Framingham Risk Score. But, they must be interpreted within the patient sitting in front of you. Women, in particular, have risk enhancers that are often under-recognized—pregnancy-related complications, premature menopause, and more.
✅️ Lp(a) testing is moving toward standardization
Recommending at least one lifetime measurement (which is often not done) acknowledges something important: some risk is inherited, and we won’t find it unless we look. This is an essential test that can completely change the way we think about your risk.
What this reflects is a broader shift toward earlier, more individualized, and more nuanced cardiovascular prevention—which is long overdue.
This is your CALL TO ACTION to get a thorough cardiovascular assessment done.
https://www.jacc.org/doi/10.1016/j.jacc.2026.02.4872
