Demystifying the nuances of the lipid patient: a guide for primary care providers

Atherosclerosis, a major cause of mortality and morbidity in the United States (US), is driven by complex factors, including the cumulative burden of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and other atherogenic lipids and lipoproteins. Lipid management in US primary care aims to prevent atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events through screening and LDL-C lowering to risk-based goals. However, lipid screening and ASCVD treatment is often inadequate, with few patients meeting LDL-C goals in clinical practice. Primary care providers have a vital role in identifying patients most at risk of ASCVD to prevent ASCVD events and improve patient outcomes. There are multiple different management guidelines, risk stratification tools, tests, and management strategies available to primary care physicians. Understanding the nuances of the lipid patient and how to employ these tools can be challenging. Here, we aim to summarize what primary care providers need to know about the lipid patient and why. We review recent updates in ASCVD prevention, including the Predicting Risk of Cardiovascular Disease Events (PREVENT™) tool and nonstatin lipid-lowering therapy management approaches.