In the spring of 2026, major medical societies released updated guidelines on what they call the management of “dyslipidemia” — a term that encompasses a range of blood-related issues including high cholesterol, elevated lipoprotein (a) or Lp(a), elevated triglycerides, and low HDL (or “good” cholesterol). 

The new guidelines now emphasize earlier screening and treatment and stress the importance of measuring other risk markers beyond just cholesterol. Many onlookers applauded the changes, noting they still fall short of the science. “The new guidelines are better than the 2018 guidelines, no question about it, but they’re still lagging behind,” says Dr. Jaime Burkle, a top preventive cardiologist and Chair of Cardiology at the Atria Health Institute.

Check out our full article about the protocol Atria’s physicians use to screen people and intervene before they have cardiovascular symptoms. If you’re looking for a quick refresher, these are the most important heart health stats to ask your physicians about: 

BP: Left unchecked, high blood pressure can lead to heart disease and stroke, so it’s important to keep checking your blood pressure throughout your life.

  • Ideal blood pressure is less than 120 over 80, and any blood pressure higher than 130 over 80 is considered hypertension. 

HDL: HDL has been known as “good” cholesterol, but that has a limit. “You’re at high risk if your HDL is low, but you’re also at risk if your HDL is too high,” Dr. Burkle says. Eating fatty fish or taking a fish oil supplement can help boost HDL numbers when they are low. If your HDL is high and you’re otherwise healthy, Atria experts advise you not to worry and monitor it over time.

  • Ideal HDL values are between 45 to 65 mg/dL and under 100mg/dL. 

LDL: Known as “bad” cholesterol, elevated LDL is typically a result of your diet and/or genetic predisposition. Saturated fats are the most common factor (but read up on the nuances of dietary cholesterol here!).

  • Although normal LDL values should be below 100 mg/dL, ideal LDL should be less than 70 mg/dL, or less than 55 mg/dL for people with high cardiovascular risk.

Triglycerides: These are the first products to circulate in your blood after you eat, carrying fatty acids that cells use as fuel. The excess is stored as fat for future use. People who have consistently elevated triglycerides will be at risk of developing cardiovascular disease over time.

  • Ideal triglyceride values should be between 50 and 100 mg/dL.

Apo-B: Your apo-B number measures the total number of “bad” particles in your bloodstream and is a more accurate way to assess cardiovascular risk than LDL alone. If you have an elevated apo-B, your physician may recommend statins or other lipid-lowering therapies, as well as lifestyle modifications to help reduce your numbers.

  • An ideal apo-B level should be less than 90 mg/dL, and less than 60 mg/dL for high-risk patients.

Lp(a): This is a genetically determined particle not included in standard lipid panels. “It’s like a fuel accelerant for atherosclerosis,” says Dr. Burkle. Up to 20% of the general population can have an elevated Lp(a) level, which puts them at significantly higher risk for cardiac events and heart disease, even at a younger age.

The medical community has only recently started to pay attention to Lp(a), and while there are no specific treatments targeting this right now, Dr. Burkle says it’s important to know your level because it can shape the rest of your medical care. If you are at high risk, experts might recommend certain supplements, dietary and lifestyle changes, or other medications depending on your age. (There are several medications in development that are expected to directly lower Lp(a) levels over the next few years, including Pelacarsen, Olpasiran, and Lepodisiran, and in the meantime, some currently available medications including PCSK9 inhibitors like Repatha, long-acting Niacin, and a few others may lower your Lp(a).)

  • N.B.: Confusingly, there are two different measurement units labs use for Lp(a): milligrams per deciliter and nanomoles per liter. Ideal values should be below 50 mg/dl or below 125 nmol/L.

These stats offer a good starting place for understanding your heart health. If you want to dive deeper, look through all our heart health articles here.