National Lipid Association

NLA Recommendations

for Patient-Centered Treatment of Dyslipidemia

In the recommendations, an Expert Panel re-affirms the importance of cholesterol goals for the prevention of heart attack & stroke

NLA Recommendations

About Us

The NLA is a multidisciplinary medical society focused on enhancing the practice of lipid management in clinical medicine.

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History

The NLA was created out of the success established by the Southeast Lipid Association (SELA).

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Education

The NLA offers an array of educational activities tailored to healthcare professionals at all stages of their careers.

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Position Statements

Expert Panel Recommendations and Position Statements.

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NLA In The News

Read the latest about NLA.

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Our Mission

The National Lipid Association (NLA) is a nonprofit, multidisciplinary medical society focused on enhancing the practice of lipid management in clinical medicine. The NLA represents more than 3,000 members globally and provides continuing medical education for physicians and other healthcare professionals to advance professional development and attain certification in clinical lipidology. The NLA's public health mission is to help reduce deaths related to high cholesterol, and the Association defines "clinical lipidology" as "a multidisciplinary branch of medicine focusing on lipid and lipoprotein metabolism and their associated disorders."

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Learn Your Lipids

Activity

National Lipid Association answered:
How is advanced lipid testing performed?

Apolipoprotein B (apoB) and low-density lipoprotein particle (LDL-P) advanced lipid tests are both simple blood tests and do not require fasting. Advanced lipid testing is offered at many labs and also may be available at your healthcare provider's office. Insurance coverage can be discussed with...Read More

On Sep 06
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National Lipid Association answered:
Why is advanced lipid testing performed?

Advanced lipid testing may be recommended by your healthcare provider to optimize your cholesterol treatment. Advanced lipid tests are performed because standard cholesterol tests may not completely represent cholesterol-related risk for heart attacks and strokes. Some people -- especially people with diabetes,...Read More

On Sep 06
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Dr. Rebecca S. Reeves of National Lipid Association answered:
How can I best manage my weight?

Weigh yourself at least weekly, control your portion sizes and get regular physical activity. Of course you should be eating a healthy diet including many fruits and vegetables, whole grains, low fat dairy products and lean meats. If the numbers on the scales start to inch upward, start writing down all food...Read More

On Aug 29
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Julie Bolick of National Lipid Association answered:
What are healthy triglyceride levels?

Healthy triglyceride is less than 150 mg/dL. Read More

On Aug 15
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Dr. Spencer D. Kroll, MD of National Lipid Association answered:
What is apolipoprotein B (ApoB)?

The primary lipoprotein in LDL and other atherogenic lipid particles is Apo B. There are two isoforms of Apo B: B-100, which is associated with VLDL, intermediate density and low density lipoprotein particles; and B-48 which is associated with chylomicrons. ApoB lipoproteins are essential in the formation of LDL cholesterol and...Read More

On Aug 10
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Dr. Spencer D. Kroll, MD of National Lipid Association answered:
What are lipoproteins?

Lipoproteins are the combination of lipids and proteins that carry fats in the form of triglycerides and cholesterol esters around in your body. Lipoproteins can be distinguished by their size and function. "Good" lipoproteins such as HDL help to scavenge additional fats and carry them from the blood vessel wall to...Read More

On Aug 09
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Dr. Carl E. Orringer, MD of National Lipid Association answered:
What are LDL and HDL cholesterol?

LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol are parts of a blood test known as a lipid panel. This is a blood test that measures the amounts of different types of fat carried in specialized particles in your bloodstream. The panel reports total cholesterol (a fatty substance carried in the blood by particles
...Read More

On Aug 08
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Dr. Dean G. Karalis, MD of National Lipid Association answered:
How is HDL related to high cholesterol?

HDL (high-density lipoprotein) cholesterol is also called “good cholesterol”. Studies have shown that low levels of HDL-cholesterol are associated with an increased risk of heart disease while high levels are associated with a lower risk. Diet and exercise can raise HDL-cholesterol; however drug therapy to raise
...Read More

On Aug 06
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Dr. James A. Underberg, MD of National Lipid Association answered:
How is HDL related to high cholesterol?

HDL stands for High Density Lipoprotein. It represents the vehicle or carrying particle for cholesterol that is often thought of as "good". HDL can be measured in many different ways, the most common being HDL-C which stands for HDL Cholesterol, and tells us how much cholesterol is carried in the...Read More

On Aug 06
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Julie Bolick of National Lipid Association answered:
How can I lower my cholesterol?

For a total LDL reduction of 20-30%, the NHLBI's Therapeutic Lifestyle Approach to LDL reduction includes:

Diet: decreasing saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol and adding plant stanols and sterols and soluble fiber

Physical activity: 30 minutes moderate-intensity activity on most days
...Read More
On Jul 29
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Dr. Dean G. Karalis, MD of National Lipid Association answered:
How can I lower my cholesterol?

In patients at risk for heart disease, lowering high cholesterol can prevent cardiovascular disease and improve outcomes. High cholesterol can be lowered with diet and exercise or with medication. Your physician may decide to put you on medication to lower your cholesterol if your cholesterol does not fall into the...Read More

On Jul 29
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Dr. Spencer D. Kroll, MD of National Lipid Association answered:
How is familial hypercholesterolemia treated?

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) patients generally require multiple forms of treatment. This is because i) their LDL levels are very high (much higher than other cholesterol abnormalities) and ii) because they are generally resistant to statin medications. For severe LDL elevations one of the therapies
...Read More

On Jul 28
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Dr. Michael J. Bloch, MD of National Lipid Association answered:
Why should I have my cholesterol levels tested if I have heart disease?

In general, our guidelines for managing lipids (cholesterol and related substances) suggest that the higher the risk of heart disease and stroke, the more aggressive the treatment goals should be. People with heart disease, whether or not they are taking medications to lower cholesterol, should have...Read More

On Jul 18
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Dr. Rebecca S. Reeves of National Lipid Association answered:
What should be my daily dietary cholesterol intake?

Based on the recommendations from the Adult Treatment Panel III document published by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, a person should limit dietary cholesterol intake to less than 200 mg per day. Recently, scientists have placed more emphasis on reducing saturated fat and trans fat in the...Read More

On Jul 18
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Dr. Joseph Saseen, PharmD of National Lipid Association answered:
Can muscle and back pain be the result of gemfibrozil?

Yes, this is a possible side effect. However, is it quite uncommon when gemfibrozil is used as the only lipid-lowering medication. The risk of muscle pain and muscle problems skyrocket when gemfibrozil is used with a statin. This is particularly problematic with certain statins (simvastatin, lova...Read More

On Jul 18
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