American Board of Family Medicine (ABFM) Practice Exam 2026 - Free ABFM Practice Questions and Study Guide

Moderate-intensity statin therapy is recommended for patients aged 40-75 who have diabetes and an LDL-C level of 70-189 mg/dL. This recommendation stems from various guidelines which suggest that this demographic is at an increased risk for cardiovascular events due to the presence of diabetes. The inclusion of individuals aged 40-75 specifically targets a population that is likely to benefit from statin therapy, as they are at a higher risk for cardiovascular disease.

For those with diabetes, managing cholesterol levels is crucial because diabetes itself is a significant risk factor for the development of atherosclerosis and subsequent cardiovascular diseases. The recommended LDL-C range indicates that these patients have not yet progressed to a level where treatment may be deemed overly aggressive, but still present an opportunity to reduce overall risk through moderate-intensity statin therapy.

In contrast, other groups mentioned in the options may require different management strategies or intensities of statin therapy. Individuals with clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) or those with an LDL-C greater than 190 mg/dL typically benefit from high-intensity statin therapy, as their risk for serious cardiovascular events is higher. Patients over 75 without comorbidities may maintain their cardiovascular health with lifestyle changes and