Defining Treatment Goals Across the Cardiovascular Prevention Continuum

Welcome back to another Pharmacy Times Peer Exchange series. In this episode, “Defining Treatment Goals Across the Cardiovascular Prevention Continuum,” Craig Beavers, PharmD, led the conversation about the following question:

What are your treatment goals for both (a.) primary prevention and (b.) secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease?

Joseph Saseen, PharmD, highlighted how treatment goals differ between primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease, including thresholds for intervention and intensity of lipid-lowering strategies. Participants examined how risk stratification, patient characteristics, and comorbidities shape individualized treatment targets. The conversation addressed how guideline recommendations translate into real-world clinical decision-making across prevention settings. Finally, it highlighted opportunities to optimize long-term outcomes through early intervention, adherence, and multidisciplinary care. Throughout the conversation, the experts provided a comprehensive reflection on the field and the factors that may shape clinicians’ approach to care moving forward.

In the next episode, “Tailoring LDL-C Goals and Education Across Cardiovascular Risk Profiles,” panelists will continue their discussion of hyperlipidemia and highlight how low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) targets differ between high- and low-risk patients, as well as the clinical rationale for more aggressive lipid-lowering in higher-risk populations. It will highlight best practices for pharmacist-led patient education, including collaboration with other health care stakeholders to enhance understanding, engagement, and overall cardiovascular risk reduction.