Full Answer Section

• Adults without ASCVD but with a high LDL cholesterol level (≥190 mg/dL) should be treated with a statin.
• Adults without ASCVD and with an LDL cholesterol level of 70-189 mg/dL should be treated with a statin if they have one or more major risk factors for ASCVD, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or smoking.

Implementation of the guidelines

The following are some ways to implement the 2018 AHA guidelines for hyperlipidemia:

• Make cholesterol and triglyceride screening a routine part of primary care visits. This can be done by adding a reminder to the electronic medical record (EMR) or by sending out patient reminders.
• Use risk assessment tools to identify patients who would benefit from statin therapy. This can help to ensure that patients are treated appropriately and that resources are used efficiently.
• Educate patients about the importance of statin therapy and the risks and benefits of different statin medications. This can help to improve patient adherence to treatment.
• Work with pharmacists to monitor patients’ statin therapy and to address any side effects that they may experience.

Barriers to the implementation of hyperlipidemia guidelines

Some of the barriers to the implementation of hyperlipidemia guidelines include:

• Lack of time and resources. Primary care providers are often short on time and resources, which can make it difficult to implement new guidelines.
• Patient adherence. Some patients may be hesitant to take statin medications due to concerns about side effects or the cost of medication.
• Systemic barriers. In some healthcare systems, there may be barriers to accessing statin medications, such as high copayments or prior authorization requirements.

How I would implement the guidelines

If I were a primary care provider, I would implement the 2018 AHA guidelines for hyperlipidemia in the following way:

• I would make cholesterol and triglyceride screening a routine part of my primary care visits. I would use the EMR to remind me to check patients’ cholesterol and triglyceride levels at least once every 4-6 years.
• I would use risk assessment tools to identify patients who would benefit from statin therapy. For example, I would use the ASCVD Risk Estimator to calculate patients’ 10-year risk of developing a cardiovascular event.
• I would educate patients about the importance of statin therapy and the risks and benefits of different statin medications. I would provide patients with written information and would also talk to them about their individual concerns.
• I would work with pharmacists to monitor patients’ statin therapy and to address any side effects that they may experience. I would also work with pharmacists to ensure that patients have access to affordable statin medications.

I believe that it is important to implement the 2018 AHA guidelines for hyperlipidemia in order to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in my patients. By following these guidelines, I can help to ensure that my patients receive the appropriate treatment for hyperlipidemia.