Breaking Barriers to Better Hearts: Optimizing LDL-C Management for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction

Faculty

Nisha D’Souza, MD, MPH
Moderator
Assistant Professor
Department of General Internal Medicine
University of Florida College of Medicine
Gainesville, FL
Eric Dietrich, PharmD, BCACP
Clinical Associate Professor
University of Florida College of Pharmacy
Gainesville, FL
Dhaval Naik, DO
Assistant Professor 
Department of Medicine, Division of Cardiovascular Medicine
University of Florida (UF) Health
Gainesville, FL

Statement of Need

Despite advances in the prevention and management of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), gaps remain in real-world risk assessment and lipid-lowering treatment, particularly among intermediate- and high-risk patients. Inconsistent use of risk assessment tools, variable evaluation of risk-enhancing factors, and suboptimal initiation or intensification of lipid-lowering therapies contribute to therapeutic inertia and prevent many patients from achieving recommended low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets. These challenges are compounded by evolving guidelines, increasing treatment complexity, and the expanding availability of non-statin therapies. Targeted education is essential to improve clinicians’ ability to apply current guidelines, prioritize LDL-C goal attainment, and implement evidence-based strategies—including add-on therapies and shared decision-making—to optimize care and reduce cardiovascular risk.

In this CME Outfitters recorded webcast, expert faculty will review current ASCVD risk assessment guidelines, highlight the importance of achieving recommended LDL-C targets in intermediate- and high-risk patients, and discuss practical strategies to optimize therapeutic decision-making in clinical practice.

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this activity, learners will be able to better:

  • Apply current guideline recommendations for ASCVD risk assessment to appropriate patients
  • Identify the importance of achieving recommended LDL-C targets as a means of managing ASCVD in intermediate- and high-risk patients
  • Implement strategies designed to optimize therapeutic decision-making among intermediate- and high-risk patients who may require add-on therapy to achieve LDL-C treatment goals

Financial Support

This activity is supported through an independent educational grant from Merck & Co., Inc., Rahway, NJ, USA.

Target Audience

Cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons, endocrinologists, neurologists, primary care practitioners (PCPs), internists, nurse practitioners (NPs), physician associates (PAs), and pharmacists

Credit Information

ACCME Accredited

The University of Florida College of Medicine is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

The University of Florida College of Medicine designates this enduring activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Jointly Accredited Provider

In support of improving patient care, CME Outfitters, LLC, is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

Pharmacists (ACPE) 1.0

This application-based activity is approved for 1.00 contact hours ( 0.1 CEUs) of continuing pharmacy credit (JA0007185-0000-26-088-H01-P).

Nurses (ANCC) 1.0

This activity is designated for 1.00 contact hours.

California Residents: Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider # CEP 15510, for 1.00 Contact Hours.

Physician Associates (AAPA): 1.0

CME Outfitters, LLC, has been authorized by the American Academy of PAs (AAPA) to award AAPA Category 1 CME credit for activities planned in accordance with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.00 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid until 05/15/2027. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.

Disclosure Declaration

It is the policy of CME Outfitters, LLC, to ensure independence, balance, objectivity, and scientific rigor and integrity in all of their CE activities. Faculty must disclose to the participants any relationships with commercial companies whose products or devices may be mentioned in faculty presentations, or with the commercial supporter of this CE activity. CME Outfitters, LLC, has evaluated, identified, and mitigated any potential conflicts of interest through a rigorous content validation procedure, use of evidence-based data/research, and a multidisciplinary peer review process. The following information is for participant information only. It is not assumed that these relationships will have a negative impact on the presentations.

Dr. D’Souza reports no financial relationships to disclose.

Dr. Dietrich reports no financial relationships to disclose.

Dr. Naik reports no financial relationships to disclose.

The following individuals have no financial relationships to disclose:

Thai Nguyen, MD, MHA (Peer Reviewer)
Joshua Caballero, PharmD, BCPP, FCCP (Peer Reviewer)
Susan Perry (Planning Committee)
Leah Zadrozny, DVM, PhD (Planning Committee)
Sandra Caballero, PharmD (Planning Committee)
Sharon Tordoff (Planning Committee)

*All identified conflicts of interest have been mitigated.

Unlabeled Use Disclosure
Faculty of this CME/CE activity may include discussions of products or devices that are not currently labeled for use by the FDA. The faculty have been informed of their responsibility to disclose to the audience if they will be discussing off-label or investigational uses (any uses not approved by the FDA) of products or devices. CME Outfitters, LLC, the faculty, planners, and reviewers do not endorse the use of any product outside of the FDA labeled indications. Medical professionals should not utilize the procedures, products, or diagnosis techniques discussed during this activity without evaluation of their patient for contraindications or dangers of use.

Obtaining Credit

Post-tests, credit request forms, and activity evaluations must be completed online (requires free account activation), and participants can print their certificate or statement of credit immediately (70% pass rate required). This website supports all browsers except Internet Explorer for Mac.

Questions about this activity?

Call us at 877.CME.PROS (877.263.7767).

FL00-WCV-126-051526-44

Breaking Barriers to Better Hearts: Optimizing LDL-C Management for Cardiovascular Risk Reduction
Event Date: 05/15/2026