6 takeaways from the NLA’s 2025 Lipidology Masters Course

The National Lipid Association 2025 Annual Scientific Sessions have officially kicked off this week in Miami with a two-day pre-conference training called the Masters in Lipidology course. It included expert-led discussions, case-based learning, and practical applications for real-world clinical practice. 

Couldn’t attend in-person this year? Anna Biggins, MPH, RDN, LD, a cardiometabolic dietitian, shared her key takeaways from the course, including emerging priorities for health care professionals in lipid management, genetics, and nutrition science. Together they highlight the evolving landscape of lipid management.

Lipoprotein(a): A Test with Lifesaving Implications

Experts emphasized the importance of testing Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), at least once in every adult’s life. Elevated Lp(a) is a causal factor in cardiovascular disease, affecting approximately 1 in 20 people. High levels are linked to increased risks of heart attacks, aortic valve disease, and heart failure.

Lifestyle Interventions: Essential But Not Always Enough

While lifestyle modifications, such as diet and exercise, are crucial, experts highlighted that for individuals with genetic conditions including Heterozygous or Homozygous Familial Hypercholesterolemia (HoFH or HeFH), rare, inherited disorders that significantly elevates LDL cholesterol levels, lifestyle changes alone may not suffice. These patients will likely require a more aggressive, pharmacologic approach alongside lifestyle adjustments to manage their lipid levels effectively.

The Role of Nutrition: Diet's Impact On Plaque Progression and Regression

Dietary patterns can significantly influence atherosclerotic plaque dynamics. During the course, presenters referenced the DISCO trial and the KETO-CTA trial to illustrate how different diets can impact arterial plaque. Key findings suggest that a DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) diet helps encourage plaque regression while a keto diet promotes plaque progression. However, clinicians have raised concerns about the designs and potential limitations of these trials. Biggins underscored the need for more high-quality, peer-reviewed nutrition research in the context of cardiovascular health in order to effectively treat patients.

Genetic Testing: Empowering Patients and Clinicians

Biggins shared an important reminder from David Jeremy Davidson, MD, a cardiologist with NorthShore and president-elect of the Midwest Lipid Association: “Your DNA is not your destiny, but knowing your DNA can change your destiny.” Identifying genetic predispositions to heart disease can enhance patient adherence to lifestyle changes and medications, enabling earlier and more personalized interventions.

The Approach to Obesity: A Complex, Chronic Disease

Obesity should be treated as a chronic, progressive, relapsing, multifactorial, neurobehavioral disease, according to Biggins specifically. Clinicians should think beyond simplistic “eat less and move more” advice and approach obesity with the same depth and compassion as other chronic conditions.

Authority and Trust: Commitment to Expertise

Finally, Biggins shared an important reminder about what it means to truly be an expert in the field, citing Alan Brown MD, director of the Lipid Clinic at Advocate Lutheran General Hospital, who said “If you’re gonna claim to be an expert in something, you need to be an expert.” In a time where misinformation runs rampant online and anyone can claim to have expert knowledge, continuing education for lipid and cardiology professionals is more important than ever.