Protocols

Find standardized, evidence-based protocols for use in your practice. When embedded in electronic health records, treatment protocols can serve as clinical decision support at the point of care so no opportunities are missed to achieve control.

Cholesterol Management Protocols

High low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol is a major risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD). The use of evidence-based protocols is one strategy to manage and lower cholesterol levels among patients with established ASCVD and patients at risk for heart attack, stroke, or ASCVD.

Create Your Own Protocol

In 2013, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) and the American Heart Association (AHA) released new clinical guidelines on the treatment of blood cholesterol to reduce ASCVD risk in adults. You can create your own cholesterol management protocol using the flow diagram from the guidelines. Or you can adapt one of the featured evidence-based protocols below.

The guidelines from the ACC and AHA recommend statin use among four major statin benefit groups:

Individuals with clinical ASCVD
Individuals with primary elevations of LDL-C ≥190 mg/dL
Individuals aged 40 to 75 who have diabetes with LDL-C of 70 to 189 mg/dL and without clinical ASCVD
Individuals without clinical ASCVD or diabetes with LDL-C of 70 to 189 mg/dL and estimated 10-year ASCVD risk ≥7.5%

Download the guideline
[PDF-376K]

View the flow diagram

Companion Provider Tool

The ASCVD Risk Estimator calculates the estimated 10-year and lifetime ASCVD risk among patients without ASCVD. By entering basic demographic characteristics and medical information, you can use the calculator to determine your patient’s estimated risk for ASCVD. The ASCVD risk estimates can also be used to facilitate a discussion between you and your patients about how to reduce risk for ASCVD.

Download the ASCVD Risk Estimator app (for phone)