Prevention & lipidsCohort study
Secular Trends in Lipid Management Among U.S. Veterans With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, 2003 to 2020
- retrospective cohort study
- annual accounting of treatment information and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) lab results from 2003 to 2020
Authors' conclusion
We observed a clear trend toward higher prevalence of LDL-C control among Veterans with ASCVD from 2003 to 2020. Despite this progress, most Veterans remain above guideline-recommended LDL-C targets, underscoring the need for continued optimization of lipid-lowering therapy.
Study context
- Population
- U.S. Veterans with prevalent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) who had at least 1 LDL-C lab value in the year before January 1st of the index yearcohort grew from 642,082 in 2003 to 1.18 million in 2020 · 2003 642,082 · 2020 1.18 million
- Exposure
- Annual trends in the proportion of Veterans with ASCVD who achieved an LDL-C <70 mg/dL while taking lipid-lowering agents, 2003 to 2020
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
LDL-C >70 mg/dL at baseline · baseline
Veterans with LDL-C >70 mg/dL (up to)
85.4%
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Proportion achieving LDL-C <70 mg/dL · Over the 17-year period
- Start of period
- 14.5%
- End of period
- 41.6%
Subgroups, including Veterans >75 years
- Observations consistent across subgroups; Veterans >75 years experienced marked increases in LDL-C improvement
Original publication
Secular Trends in Lipid Management Among U.S. Veterans With Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, 2003 to 2020. JACC Adv. Published 15 July 2026. doi:10.1016/j.jacadv.2026.103004
Summarised from the published abstract; every number is checked against it