AI-HEART Lab Clinical Tools
2026 ACC/AHA Lipid Guideline Calculator
Guideline-informed decision-support across 9 integrated modules. Enter patient data, calculate PREVENT risk, and generate AI-powered clinical notes.
HIPAA-Compliant
- Calculator runs 100% in your browser — no patient data is transmitted
- AI features process data under a signed HIPAA BAA with zero data retention
How It Works
Paste EHR Note
Copy and paste a prior or active clinical note from your EHR below
AI Extracts Data
AI identifies labs, medications, and risk factors automatically
Review & Confirm
Verify extracted values and adjust if needed
Generate AI Note
One-click structured “# Hyperlipidemia” note with guideline references
Paste Your EHR Notes
BETAPaste a previous visit note. Extracts: age, sex, medical history, comorbidities, family history, surgical history.
Paste today's note. Extracts: latest labs, current medications, vitals.
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Search the LiteratureBeta
HIPAA CompliantResults open in a new tab — your calculator work stays here
Mechanistic Insights: How CV Metabolic Risk Factors Drive Disease
SGLT2 inhibitors reprogram cardiac metabolism beyond ketone utilization. GLP-1RAs reduce CV mortality through AMPK/NO-mediated pathways independent of weight loss. Dual GIP/GLP-1 agonism remains mechanistically enigmatic. HFpEF and HFrEF are metabolically opposite conditions requiring distinct therapeutic strategies.
Based on the 2026 ESC scientific statement on novel cardiovascular metabolic risk factor mechanisms.
Explore mechanisms →What Has Changed Since the Guidelines Were Published
- Lower LDL targets confirmed: targeting <55 mg/dL reduces events beyond <70 in secondary prevention, and levels below 40 appear safe post-stroke
- PCSK9 inhibitors now show benefit in primary prevention and in patients over 75; oral PCSK9 inhibitors (enlicitide) are approaching FDA review
- CETP inhibition revived: obicetrapib delivers 33% additional LDL reduction on max therapy with dual LDL and Lp(a) lowering
- First effective Lp(a) therapies in late-stage trials: lepodisiran siRNA (up to 94% reduction) and muvalaplin, the first oral Lp(a) inhibitor (86%)
- Statin safety confirmed in 123,940 patients: only 4 of 66 side effects causally linked; for truly intolerant patients, bempedoic acid reduces MACE 13% (CLEAR Outcomes)
- Colchicine showed no benefit in acute MI — anti-inflammatory strategy may not apply to acute settings
Stay Current on Lipid Evidence
— landmark trials and significant new findings, with AI-contextualized summaries
0 of 9 modules completed
IMPORTANT: This software is clinical decision support (CDS) intended for use by licensed healthcare professionals under Section 520(o)(1)(E) of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act. It is not intended as a medical device. All recommendations are derived from the 2026 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia and must be independently verified by the treating clinician before any clinical action. AI-generated content (including extracted data and clinical notes) is produced by large language models and may contain errors, omissions, or hallucinations — clinician review is mandatory. Patient data entered into the calculator is processed entirely in the browser; AI features process data server-side under a signed HIPAA Business Associate Agreement with no data retention. AI-HEART Lab, its affiliates, and contributors assume no liability for clinical decisions made using this tool. By using this tool, you acknowledge these limitations and accept full responsibility for clinical decisions.
Calculator computation is 100% client-side. Opt-in AI features process data server-side under a signed HIPAA BAA with no data retention.
About This Tool
This calculator implements the PREVENT (Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs) equations, which replace the Pooled Cohort Equations used since 2013. The PREVENT model incorporates eGFR and BMI as additional predictors and was developed using data from over 6 million adults.
The tool provides guideline-informed decision support based on the 2026 ACC/AHA/Multisociety Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia across 9 interactive modules: risk assessment, primary prevention (CPR framework), secondary prevention with treatment cascade, severe hypercholesterolemia & FH (DLCN scoring), hypertriglyceridemia (IPE eligibility), diabetes-specific management, special populations (CKD, HIV, pregnancy, elderly, transplant), Lp(a)/ApoB discordance analysis, and monitoring & follow-up.
Calculator computation occurs entirely in your browser. Opt-in AI features (data extraction, note generation, email delivery) process clinical data server-side under a signed HIPAA Business Associate Agreement — data is held in memory only and never persisted or logged.
What Changed in the 2026 Dyslipidemia Guidelines
The 2026 ACC/AHA/Multisociety Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia represents the most significant update to lipid management since 2018. Published on March 13, 2026, the guideline introduces fundamental changes to risk assessment, treatment targets, and therapeutic options.
PREVENT Replaces Pooled Cohort Equations
The PREVENT (Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs) model replaces the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) that have been the standard since the 2013 ACC/AHA guidelines. PREVENT was developed from 6.5 million adults across diverse populations — compared to approximately 25,000 in the original PCE cohorts. The model adds eGFR as an additional predictor (BMI is used in the heart failure model only), removes race as an input variable, and provides both 10-year and 30-year cardiovascular risk estimates. Critically, PREVENT reduces risk overestimation from approximately 40-50% with PCE to about 19%, leading to more accurate treatment decisions.
New LDL-C Treatment Goals
For the first time, the guidelines introduce explicit LDL-C treatment targets rather than the percentage-reduction approach of earlier editions. Very-high-risk patients — those with recurrent ASCVD events or multiple high-risk features — should target LDL-C below 55 mg/dL. High-risk patients should aim for less than 70 mg/dL. Intermediate-risk patients on statin therapy should target LDL-C below 100 mg/dL. These targets align the U.S. guidelines with the approach used in European Society of Cardiology recommendations.
Earlier Treatment Initiation
The 2026 guidelines lower the threshold for statin consideration. Statins should now be considered starting at age 30 for patients with LDL-C of 160 mg/dL or higher, or those with elevated 30-year cardiovascular risk using the PREVENT model. The CPR (Calculate, Personalize, Reclassify) framework guides clinicians through the decision process, incorporating risk-enhancing factors and coronary artery calcium scoring when appropriate.
Expanded Biomarker Use
Universal lipoprotein(a) testing receives a Class 1 (strongest) recommendation — every adult should have Lp(a) measured at least once. Elevated Lp(a) (above 125 nmol/L or 50 mg/dL) is recognized as an independent, genetically determined ASCVD risk factor. ApoB measurement is recommended when LDL-C/non-HDL-C discordance is suspected, particularly in patients with metabolic syndrome or diabetes.
New Lipid-Lowering Therapies
The guideline integrates several medications not covered in the 2018 edition. Inclisiran (a twice-yearly siRNA injection targeting PCSK9) provides an alternative to monoclonal antibody PCSK9 inhibitors. Bempedoic acid offers an oral, non-statin LDL-C lowering option for statin-intolerant patients. Icosapent ethyl (IPE) is recommended for residual hypertriglyceridemia with elevated ASCVD risk. For homozygous familial hypercholesterolemia, evinacumab and lomitapide are included as guideline-recognized therapies.
Why Use This Calculator
9 Integrated Clinical Modules
Each module maps directly to the guideline's clinical decision algorithms: PREVENT risk assessment, primary prevention, secondary prevention, severe hypercholesterolemia and FH, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes, special populations, Lp(a) and ApoB, and monitoring and follow-up. Patient data flows between modules, so a risk score in Module 1 automatically informs treatment recommendations in Modules 2-3.
EHR-Ready Clinical Notes
Every module generates a single-paragraph clinical note summarizing the patient's risk profile, treatment recommendations, and guideline references. One click copies the note to your clipboard for direct paste into your EHR — no reformatting required.
Privacy and Data Handling
Calculator computation runs entirely in your browser with no server transmission. There are no user accounts, no cookies storing clinical data, and no analytics tracking patient inputs. Opt-in AI features (data extraction, note generation, email delivery) process clinical data server-side under a signed HIPAA Business Associate Agreement — data is held in memory only and never persisted or logged.
Built by a Practicing Cardiologist
This calculator was developed by Dr. Rahul Chaudhary, a practicing cardiologist (FACP, FACC) and physician-scientist with 150+ peer-reviewed publications, 18 international guideline citations, and training at Johns Hopkins University and UPMC, former faculty at Mayo Clinic Rochester. Every clinical threshold is mapped to a specific guideline figure or table with source documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PREVENT ASCVD risk calculator?
PREVENT (Predicting Risk of cardiovascular disease EVENTs) is the new risk prediction model endorsed by the 2026 ACC/AHA Dyslipidemia Guideline. It replaces the Pooled Cohort Equations (PCE) used since 2013. PREVENT was developed from over 6.5 million adults across diverse populations, incorporates eGFR as an additional predictor (BMI is used in the heart failure model only), omits race as a variable, and provides both 10-year and 30-year cardiovascular risk estimates.
How is PREVENT different from the Pooled Cohort Equations?
PREVENT was derived from 6.5 million adults (vs. ~25,000 for PCE), adds eGFR as a predictor (BMI is used in the heart failure model only), removes race as an input variable, calculates both 10-year and 30-year risk, and reduces risk overestimation from approximately 40-50% with PCE to about 19% with PREVENT.
What are the new LDL cholesterol goals in the 2026 guidelines?
The 2026 guidelines introduce explicit LDL-C treatment targets: less than 55 mg/dL for very-high-risk patients, less than 70 mg/dL for high-risk patients, and less than 100 mg/dL for intermediate-risk patients on statin therapy.
When should statins be started under the 2026 guidelines?
Statins should be considered starting at age 30 for patients with LDL-C of 160 mg/dL or higher, or those with elevated 30-year cardiovascular risk. The guidelines emphasize lifetime risk reduction and earlier intervention for patients with risk-enhancing factors.
What medications are recommended after statins in the 2026 lipid guidelines?
The treatment cascade after maximally tolerated statin therapy is: ezetimibe first, followed by PCSK9 inhibitors (evolocumab, alirocumab) or inclisiran for patients not at LDL-C goal. Bempedoic acid is recommended for statin-intolerant patients. For hypertriglyceridemia with elevated ASCVD risk, icosapent ethyl (IPE) is recommended.
Should everyone get a lipoprotein(a) test?
Yes. The 2026 guideline gives universal Lp(a) screening a Class 1 (strongest) recommendation. Every adult should have Lp(a) measured at least once. Elevated Lp(a) (above 125 nmol/L or 50 mg/dL) is an independent, genetically determined ASCVD risk factor that can reclassify patients to higher-risk treatment categories.
Does this calculator store or transmit patient data?
Calculator computation occurs entirely in your browser with no server transmission. Opt-in AI features (data extraction, AI-generated notes, email delivery) process clinical data server-side under a signed HIPAA Business Associate Agreement — data is held in memory only during the request and is never persisted, cached, or logged.
What age range does the PREVENT calculator support?
The PREVENT equations are validated for adults aged 30 to 79 years. The 10-year risk calculation applies to ages 40-79, while the 30-year risk calculation applies to ages 30-59. Inputs outside these ranges are rejected with an explanation of the validated age boundaries.
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Open tool →Reference
Blumenthal R, Morris P, Gaudino M, et al. 2026 ACC/AHA/AACVPR/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia: A Report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Joint Committee on Clinical Practice Guidelines. JACC. 2026;0(0). doi:10.1016/j.jacc.2025.11.016
Developed by AI-HEART Lab
Built by Dr. Rahul Chaudhary, a physician-scientist with 150+ publications and 18 international guideline citations, trained at Johns Hopkins University and UPMC, former faculty at Mayo Clinic Rochester.