Toward Optimized Practice (TOP) introduces a new clinical practice guideline (CPG): Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Primary Care.
By removing lipid targets and associated monitoring of lipid levels, as well as other streamlining measures, the management of lipids and cardiovascular disease risk has been significantly simplified. Additionally, by targeting risk, clinicians can identify patients most likely to benefit while actively involving these patients in their care.
The collaboration between the ACFP, PEER, and TOP has created a guideline and recommendations based on the most recent and highest quality of evidence. The background evidence to create the guideline included a review of more than two hundred articles. Authors for the Evidence Review include: Drs. Adrienne Lindblad, Mike Kolber, Scott Garrison, Mike Allan, and Ms. Candra Cotton.
This Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Primary Care guideline balances evidence, simplification/efficiency, and patient involvement. Related files are available from the TOP website:
- Summary – Prevention and Management of CVD Risk in Primary Care. Algorithm, Risk Calculator Options, Statin Dosing and Benefits of Therapies (High resolution, print-ready file)
- Guideline – Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Primary Care. Primary and Secondary Prevention for CVD Focused on CVD Risk Estimation and Lipid Management
- Patient Information – Reducing Your Risk for Heart Attacks & Strokes. After the conversation – helping your patients make informed decisions to reduce their risk for heart attacks and strokes (High resolution, print-ready file; French)
- Background Evidence – Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Primary Care: Evidence Review of 12 Key Questions. Background evidence for development of the CPG.
The Prevention and Management of Cardiovascular Disease Risk in Primary Care CPG recently received an endorsement from the College of Family Physicians of Canada.

the links on guideline and patient information only bring up the simplified lipid pathway.
Otherwise – FANTASTIC resource. Thanks Mike, Adrienne and co!
Jennifer
Thank you very much, Jennifer. The links have been updated.
Cardiovascular diseases have become very common. Many people are diagnosed with it nowadays. We sure need more advice and knowledge about it.