Prevention & lipidsCross-sectional study
Implications of the 2026 Versus 2018 ACC/AHA Multisociety Dyslipidemia Guidelines on the Clinical Care of U.S. Adults
- Cross-sectional study
- NHANES 2011-2020, 4 survey cycles
Authors' conclusion
Compared with the 2018 guideline, the 2026 American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Multisociety Dyslipidemia Guideline substantially expanded the proportion of U.S. adults for whom statin therapy should be considered by extending recommendations to adults at high 30-year risk. Among those already on treatment, the vast majority remain above new guideline goals.
Study context
- Population
- US adults aged ≥20 years (NHANES 2011–2020)
- Exposure
- 2026 vs 2018 ACC/AHA dyslipidemia guideline
- Outcome
- Proportion and number of US adults eligible for initiation of LLT; proportion meeting 2026 treatment targets
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- Additional adults eligible under 2026 guideline
- 24.5 million
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Largest contributor: statins considered at age 30-59 y with 30-year ASCVD risk ≥10% despite 10-year risk <3%
- Additional adults eligible
- 15.6 million
- Age 30-59 y: qualify by 30-year ASCVD risk ≥10% vs 10-year ASCVD risk ≥3%
- 15.6 million vs 7.9 million
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) above goal among adults receiving lipid-lowering therapy (LLT) for a Class 1 indication (39.1 million)
- LDL-C above goal
- 79.0%
- Adults with ASCVD with LDL-C ≥55 mg/dL
- 91.1%
- Adults with ASCVD with LDL-C ≥70 mg/dL
- 74.5%
Original publication
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it