Quick reference
Different resources suggest slightly different approaches, all suggest atorvastatin but guidelines differ on whether to treat all as secondary prevention (Glasgow) or whether to treat mild calcification as primary prevention (Bristol 20mg suggested, Pulse 40mg suggested)
GGC Guidelines
Bristol Guidelines
Pulse today article
Resources
NICE NG238 Patient Decision aid - Should I take a statin
Statin targets
Copied verbatim from NHS England pathway above
Primary prevention
- ” should achieve reduction of non-HDL-C > 40% from baseline.”
Secondary prevention - “Aim for an LDL-C of ≤ 2.0 mmol/L, or non-HDL-C of ≤ 2.6 mmol/L”
- “LDL and non-HDL-C levels should be reduced as much as possible. Personalise targets based on clinical judgement and an informed discussion with patient.”
Further reading
Most up to date guidelines seem to be from the USA
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
See section 4.2.7 - they do stratify by risk. of note their targets are similar but slightly different to the UK targets.