FNP certification cheat sheet
Statin intensity and who qualifies
The 2018 ACC/AHA intensity groups with example doses, and the four benefit groups.
Reviewed by a licensed nurse · 25 October 2026
Intensity
| Intensity | LDL lowering | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| High | About 50 percent or more | Atorvastatin 40 to 80 mg, rosuvastatin 20 to 40 mg |
| Moderate | About 30 to 49 percent | Atorvastatin 10 to 20 mg, rosuvastatin 5 to 10 mg, simvastatin 20 to 40 mg, pravastatin 40 to 80 mg |
| Low | Under 30 percent | Simvastatin 10 mg, pravastatin 10 to 20 mg |
Who qualifies
| Group | Plan |
|---|---|
| Clinical atherosclerotic disease, age 75 or under | High intensity |
| LDL 190 mg/dL or higher | High intensity |
| Diabetes, age 40 to 75 | Moderate, high with multiple risk factors |
| Primary prevention, age 40 to 75, 10-year risk 7.5 percent or more | Moderate after risk discussion |
Educational content for exam preparation. It is not clinical guidance and does not replace your facility's policies, current professional guidelines or the advice of a qualified clinician.
boardreadynurse.com · 2018 AHA/ACC Cholesterol Guideline