ACC/AHA Issue Updated Guideline for Managing Lipids, Cholesterol

New recommendations focus on earlier intervention, lower LDL-C goals, and expanded testing to assess cardiovascular risk

Mar. 14, 2026 at 12:03am

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The American College of Cardiology (ACC) and American Heart Association have issued an updated guideline for managing dyslipidemia, including recommendations for earlier lifestyle changes, lower LDL-C goals, and expanded testing like coronary artery calcium scans and lipoprotein(a) measurement to better assess cardiovascular risk.

Why it matters

The new guideline aims to help healthcare providers and patients better prevent and manage atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death globally, by providing evidence-based recommendations for optimizing lipid levels and reducing long-term exposure to unhealthy cholesterol.

The details

Key updates include: earlier intervention through lifestyle changes and cholesterol-lowering medication when needed; lower LDL-C goals based on risk level; selective use of coronary artery calcium scans; measuring lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein B to refine risk assessment; and guidance for managing lipids in specific high-risk populations like those with chronic kidney disease or diabetes.

  • The guideline was jointly published on March 13, 2026 in the journals JACC and Circulation.

The players

American College of Cardiology (ACC)

A global leader dedicated to transforming cardiovascular care and improving heart health.

American Heart Association

A relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives, providing health information and driving breakthroughs in science, policy, and care.

Roger Blumenthal, MD, FACC, FAHA

Chair of the guideline writing committee, director of the Johns Hopkins Ciccarone Center for the Prevention of Heart Disease, and the Kenneth J. Pollin Professor of Cardiology at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Pamela B. Morris, MD, FACC, FAHA

Vice-chair of the guideline writing committee and the Paul V. Palmer chair of cardiovascular disease prevention and director of the Seinsheimer Cardiovascular Health Program at The Medical University of South Carolina.

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What they’re saying

“We know 80% or more of cardiovascular disease is preventable and elevated LDL cholesterol, sometimes referred to as 'bad' cholesterol, is a major part of that risk.”

— Roger Blumenthal, Chair of the guideline writing committee

“Having healthy LDL-cholesterol levels or high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), traditionally thought of as 'good' cholesterol, isn't necessarily a 'get out of jail free' card.”

— Roger Blumenthal, Chair of the guideline writing committee

“Implementation of this important new guideline by clinicians will be critical to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in the future.”

— Pamela B. Morris, Vice-chair of the guideline writing committee

What’s next

The guideline provides recommendations for clinicians to consider additional testing like coronary artery calcium scans and lipoprotein(a) measurement to better assess cardiovascular risk and guide treatment decisions.

The takeaway

This updated guideline emphasizes the importance of earlier intervention through lifestyle changes and cholesterol-lowering medications when needed, as well as expanded testing to personalize risk assessment and treatment, in order to effectively prevent and manage atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.