American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

What minimum ASCVD risk percentage is considered high enough to warrant statin therapy initiation?

1. 5%

2. 7.5%

3. 10%

4. 15%

The correct answer is: 7.5%

The minimum ASCVD (Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease) risk percentage considered high enough to warrant the initiation of statin therapy is 7.5%. This threshold is important as it helps healthcare providers identify individuals who are at a significant risk of cardiovascular events, allowing for the appropriate use of statins to lower that risk. The decision to start statin therapy is based on a combination of factors, including age, cholesterol levels, blood pressure, smoking status, and diabetes, all of which contribute to the overall ASCVD risk score. Statins are effective in reducing cholesterol levels and, more importantly, in decreasing the risk of heart attack and stroke in those identified as high-risk, aligning treatment strategies with preventive measures. Policy guidelines, such as those from the American College of Cardiology and American Heart Association, emphasize this risk threshold in their recommendations for evaluating and treating patients, making it a significant benchmark in clinical practice.