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At least a quarter of Americans have high levels of cholesterol or fatty acids in their blood, a condition called dyslipidemia. Uncontrolled cholesterol levels increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, or ASCVD, a group of diseases that result from plaque buildup in blood vessels and prevent blood from flowing smoothly to vital organs. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke.

As a cardiologist with expertise in sports and exercise science, I routinely care for patients who want to make healthy lifestyle choices to control their cholesterol levels, reduce their risk of cardiovascular disease and improve their overall health.

In March 2026, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology issued new guidelines on how to treat dyslipidemia. The guidelines, last updated in 2018, incorporate findings from several new studies on how to more effectively treat—and prevent—the condition.

The new guidelines can help doctors personalize treatment to reduce each patient's risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

Compared with prior guidelines, the 2026 update emphasizes treating high cholesterol and fatty acids earlier in life and more aggressively to reduce the risk of developing atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease later in life.

This push is based on the observation that the longer cholesterol levels remain high, the greater the lifetime risk of cardiovascular disease.

The new guidelines explain how clinicians can use blood tests and imaging tools to assess a person's risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

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