Desirable LDL Cholesterol Levels, Understanding Your Numbers. A Consensus Statement from the National Lipid Association
- Alastair Hunt
- 5 days ago
- 4 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
The US National Lipid Association (NLA) have announced the release of a major new clinical guidance document titled “LDL Cholesterol Management Simplified in Adults – Lower for Longer is Better: Guidance from the National Lipid Association” This expert consensus statement underscores a vital message for clinicians and patients alike: lowering LDL-C early, intensively, and sustainably is critical to reducing the risk of cardiovascular events. (Note: Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease - ASCVD)
Below we 'share the numbers' to make sense of your blood panel and to review with your medical practitioner.
As ever, please talk to your doctor or medical practitioner most familiar with your medical history before implementing any changes in diet, exercise or lifestyle, especially if you are under treatment. Links to the consensus statement and relevant studies at bottom of page.
Desirable LDL-C Treatment Thresholds based on Cardiovascular Risk
Understanding the numbers, where should we be?
Final Thoughts
To quote the report itself:
"In conclusion, LDL-C is a well-established causal factor for the development of ASCVD that should be monitored in a timely manner and may be modified through both lifestyle and pharmaceutical interventions. Remember, for LDL-C: lower for longer is better."
Want to know more about reducing risk from cholesterol or the science behind the subject?Enjoy our other cholesterol focused articles here.
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Alastair
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Related Studies
The consensus statement: Jackson et al., LDL cholesterol management simplified in (adults)—Lower for longer is better: Guidance from the National Lipid Association, Journal of Clinical Lipidology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jacl.2025.06.002
Other
Johannesen CDL, Langsted A, Nordestgaard BG, Mortensen MB. Excess Apolipoprotein B and Cardiovascular Risk in Women and Men. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2024 Jun 11;83(23):2262-2273. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2024.03.423. PMID: 38839200.
Zhong L, Xie B, Wang HL, Ji XW. Causal association between remnant cholesterol level and risk of cardiovascular diseases: a bidirectional two sample mendelian randomization study. Sci Rep. 2024 Nov 7;14(1):27038. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-78610-0. PMID: 39511362; PMCID: PMC11544147.
Navarese EP, Vine D, Proctor S, Grzelakowska K, Berti S, Kubica J, Raggi P. Independent Causal Effect of Remnant Cholesterol on Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Outcomes: A Mendelian Randomization Study. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol. 2023 Sep;43(9):e373-e380. doi: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.123.319297. Epub 2023 Jul 13. PMID: 37439258.
Storey BC, Staplin N, Haynes R, Reith C, Emberson J, Herrington WG, Wheeler DC, Walker R, Fellström B, Wanner C, Landray MJ, Baigent C; SHARP Collaborative Group. Lowering LDL cholesterol reduces cardiovascular risk independently of presence of inflammation. Kidney Int. 2018 Apr;93(4):1000-1007. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2017.09.011. Epub 2017 Nov 14. PMID: 29146277; PMCID: PMC5978933.
Storey BC, Staplin N, Haynes R, Reith C, Emberson J, Herrington WG, Wheeler DC, Walker R, Fellström B, Wanner C, Landray MJ, Baigent C; SHARP Collaborative Group. Lowering LDL cholesterol reduces cardiovascular risk independently of presence of inflammation. Kidney Int. 2018 Apr;93(4):1000-1007. doi: 10.1016/j.kint.2017.09.011. Epub 2017 Nov 14. PMID: 29146277; PMCID: PMC5978933.
Ference BA, Ginsberg HN, Graham I, Ray KK, Packard CJ, Bruckert E, Hegele RA, Krauss RM, Raal FJ, Schunkert H, Watts GF, Borén J, Fazio S, Horton JD, Masana L, Nicholls SJ, Nordestgaard BG, van de Sluis B, Taskinen MR, Tokgözoglu L, Landmesser U, Laufs U, Wiklund O, Stock JK, Chapman MJ, Catapano AL. Low-density lipoproteins cause atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. 1. Evidence from genetic, epidemiologic, and clinical studies. A consensus statement from the European Atherosclerosis Society Consensus Panel. Eur Heart J. 2017 Aug 21;38(32):2459-2472. doi: 10.1093/eurheartj/ehx144. PMID: 28444290; PMCID: PMC5837225.
Ference BA, Yoo W, Alesh I, Mahajan N, Mirowska KK, Mewada A, Kahn J, Afonso L, Williams KA Sr, Flack JM. Effect of long-term exposure to lower low-density lipoprotein cholesterol beginning early in life on the risk of coronary heart disease: a Mendelian randomization analysis. J Am Coll Cardiol. 2012 Dec 25;60(25):2631-9. doi: 10.1016/j.jacc.2012.09.017. Epub 2012 Oct 17. PMID: 23083789.
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