NLA 2025 Spring Virtual Foundations of Lipidology Course

Introduction

The NLA 2025 Spring Virtual Foundations of Lipidology Course is a comprehensive introductory educational program developed by the National Lipid Association to provide clinicians with a strong foundation in clinical lipidology, cardiovascular prevention, and dyslipidemia management. Designed as an intensive two-day virtual learning experience, the course combines expert-led lectures, case-based discussions, pharmacology reviews, and guideline-focused education relevant to modern preventive cardiology practice.

The curriculum explores the fundamental science of atherosclerosis, lipoprotein metabolism, lipid-altering therapies, inherited lipid disorders, and cardiovascular risk reduction while integrating practical approaches to patient counseling, lifestyle modification, and individualized treatment planning. Through interactive clinical learning scenarios and evidence-informed discussions, participants gain both foundational knowledge and practical clinical tools applicable to lipid management in real-world practice.

This course is particularly valuable for clinicians seeking structured education in lipidology, preventive cardiovascular medicine, and dyslipidemia treatment while preparing for advanced lipidology training or expanding expertise in cardiovascular risk management.

Files Included

The NLA 2025 Foundations of Lipidology educational package includes comprehensive virtual lipidology learning materials designed for self-paced professional education.

Included resources may consist of:

• Virtual video lectures with subtitles
• Downloadable presentation slides
• Dyslipidemia management educational sessions
• Preventive cardiology learning modules
• Pharmacotherapy and guideline review discussions
• Interactive lipidology case studies
• Clinical lipid management educational materials
• Cardiovascular prevention learning resources

These materials support ongoing review of clinical lipidology, cardiovascular risk reduction, and dyslipidemia management principles.

Why This Course Is Important

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with dyslipidemia representing one of the most significant modifiable risk factors for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. As preventive cardiology continues to evolve, clinicians must integrate rapidly expanding evidence related to lipid metabolism, inflammation, pharmacotherapy, inherited lipid disorders, and cardiovascular risk assessment into patient-centered management strategies.

At the same time, newer lipid-lowering therapies, evolving clinical guidelines, and increasing recognition of residual cardiovascular risk have made lipidology more clinically complex and increasingly important across primary care, cardiology, endocrinology, and preventive medicine.

The NLA Foundations of Lipidology Course addresses these challenges through a structured educational framework focused on practical cardiovascular prevention, dyslipidemia treatment, evidence-informed pharmacotherapy, and individualized lipid management strategies. The program helps clinicians develop foundational expertise while strengthening confidence in complex lipid management and cardiovascular risk reduction.

What Participants Will Learn

Participants completing this course will strengthen their understanding of clinical lipidology, dyslipidemia management, and cardiovascular prevention strategies.

Learning objectives include:

• Explaining the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and the role of inflammation in cardiovascular disease
• Understanding cholesterol, triglycerides, and lipoprotein metabolism
• Reviewing principles of clinical trial interpretation and cardiovascular outcomes research
• Evaluating landmark lipid-lowering clinical trials
• Applying pharmacologic therapies for dyslipidemia management
• Understanding mechanisms of action and efficacy of approved lipid-altering therapies
• Counseling patients on dietary interventions and lifestyle modification strategies
• Recognizing inherited and acquired dyslipidemias
• Identifying secondary causes and comorbidities associated with lipid disorders
• Applying guideline-based treatment strategies for cardiovascular risk reduction
• Developing individualized treatment plans for complex lipid disorders and high-risk patient populations

The curriculum integrates preventive cardiology, metabolic medicine, pharmacology, and cardiovascular risk management into a comprehensive lipidology educational experience.

Full Course Topics & Lectures

Day 1 – Virtual (Monday, March 3, 2025)

Program Overview

Program Overview

Lipid Biology & Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, Lipids and Lipoproteins, Atherogenic Dyslipidemia — Daniel E. Soffer, MD, FNLA

Lifestyle Medicine & Nutrition

Current Lifestyle Recommendations — Carol Kirkpatrick, PhD, MPH, RDN, CLS, FNLA

Pharmacologic Management of Dyslipidemia

Pharmacologic Therapies — Joseph J. Saseen, PharmD, CLS, MNLA

Pharmacologic Therapies – Continued — Joseph J. Saseen, PharmD, CLS, MNLA

Clinical Trials & Evidence Review

Landmark Clinical Trials — Joseph J. Saseen, PharmD, CLS, MNLA

Lipid Management Guidelines

Overview of Clinical Guidelines in Lipid Management — Ann Liebeskind, MD, FNLA

Overview of Clinical Guidelines in Lipid Management – Continued — Ann Liebeskind, MD, FNLA

Day 2 – Virtual (Tuesday, March 4, 2025)

Day 2 Introduction

Day 2 Overview

Lipid Disorders in Special Populations

Lipid Management of Specific Populations — Ann Liebeskind, MD, FNLA

Inherited & Secondary Dyslipidemias

Dyslipidemia and Inherited Lipid Disorders — Daniel E. Soffer, MD, FNLA

Interactive Clinical Case Discussions

Challenging Patient Case 1 — Joseph J. Saseen, PharmD, CLS, MNLA; Daniel E. Soffer, MD, FNLA; Carol Kirkpatrick, PhD, MPH, RDN, CLS, FNLA; Ann Liebeskind, MD, FNLA

Challenging Patient Case 2 — Ann Liebeskind, MD, FNLA; Daniel E. Soffer, MD, FNLA; Joseph J. Saseen, PharmD, CLS, MNLA; Carol Kirkpatrick, PhD, MPH, RDN, CLS, FNLA

Challenging Patient Case 3 — Carol Kirkpatrick, PhD, MPH, RDN, CLS, FNLA; Daniel E. Soffer, MD, FNLA; Joseph J. Saseen, PharmD, CLS, MNLA; Ann Liebeskind, MD, FNLA

Course Conclusion

Wrap-up

Educational Experience & Learning Features

The NLA 2025 Foundations of Lipidology Course combines preventive cardiology education with clinically practical dyslipidemia management strategies and interactive learning.

Educational features include:

• Expert-led virtual lipidology lectures
• Video sessions with subtitles
• Downloadable presentation slides
• Preventive cardiology and cardiovascular risk reduction education
• Pharmacotherapy and lipid-lowering therapy reviews
• Guideline-focused dyslipidemia management discussions
• Interactive patient case scenarios
• Lifestyle medicine and nutrition counseling strategies
• Self-paced virtual learning flexibility
• Evidence-informed cardiovascular prevention education

The curriculum integrates lipid metabolism, preventive cardiology, pharmacology, nutrition, and cardiovascular risk assessment into a clinically practical educational experience.

Who Should Take This Course

The NLA 2025 Spring Virtual Foundations of Lipidology Course is intended for clinicians seeking foundational or advanced education in clinical lipidology and cardiovascular prevention.

This course is especially valuable for:

• Physicians
• Cardiologists
• Primary care physicians
• Endocrinologists
• Physician assistants
• Nurse practitioners
• Pharmacists
• Registered nurses
• Registered dietitians
• Exercise physiologists
• Preventive cardiology clinicians
• Healthcare professionals seeking expertise in lipid management

The curriculum is particularly relevant for clinicians interested in dyslipidemia treatment, cardiovascular prevention, inherited lipid disorders, and evidence-informed lipidology practice.

Clinical Applications & Practice Benefits

The course provides clinically relevant education focused on improving dyslipidemia management, cardiovascular prevention strategies, and individualized patient care.

Participants gain practical insight into:

• Lipoprotein metabolism and atherosclerosis mechanisms
• Guideline-based lipid-lowering therapy selection
• Cardiovascular risk reduction planning
• Inherited and secondary dyslipidemia recognition
• Nutrition counseling and lifestyle modification strategies
• Complex lipid disorder management
• Pharmacologic treatment optimization
• Preventive cardiology integration into outpatient practice
• Clinical trial interpretation relevant to lipidology

The educational content strengthens preventive cardiology decision-making while supporting improved long-term cardiovascular risk management.

Professional Summary

The NLA 2025 Spring Virtual Foundations of Lipidology Course from the National Lipid Association provides a structured and clinically practical introduction to modern clinical lipidology, dyslipidemia management, and cardiovascular prevention medicine.

From atherosclerosis and lipoprotein biology to lipid-lowering pharmacotherapy, inherited dyslipidemias, guideline-based management, nutrition counseling, and cardiovascular risk reduction strategies, the curriculum explores the essential foundations of lipidology through expert-led instruction and case-based learning.

Its combination of preventive cardiology education, interactive clinical discussions, pharmacologic reviews, and practical lipid management strategies makes this course a valuable educational resource for clinicians seeking updated expertise in cardiovascular prevention and clinical lipidology.