Objective To interpret the major updates in the "2026 ACC/AHA Guideline on the Management of Dyslipidemia" and provide guidance for perioperative and long-term lipid management in patients undergoing cardiovascular surgery. Methods Based on the 2026 guideline and relevant cardiovascular outcome studies, this article summarized key aspects of lipid management across the entire life span, PREVENT-ASCVD risk assessment, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) targets, lipoprotein(a) and apolipoprotein B testing, management of hypertriglyceridemia, and the use of non-statin therapies, while analyzing their clinical implications from the perspective of cardiovascular surgery. Results The 2026 guideline expanded the focus of lipid management from simple cholesterol control to comprehensive, lifelong lipid protein risk management across the entire spectrum. It recommended the PREVENT-ASCVD model, integrated risk-enhancing factors and coronary artery calcium scores to refine risk stratification, re-established LDL-C and non-HDL-C targets, strengthened management of lipoprotein(a), apolipoprotein B, and hypertriglyceridemia, and emphasized early combination lipid-lowering therapy. These updates helped identify residual cardiovascular risks in surgical patients, promoted postoperative lipid target achievement, and supported long-term secondary prevention. Conclusion The 2026 guideline advances lipid management toward precise risk stratification, goal-directed therapy, and longitudinal intervention. Standardized lipid assessment and lipid-lowering therapy should be integrated into perioperative and long-term postoperative management in cardiovascular surgery to improve long-term patient outcomes.