Preventive Cardiology Program

The Preventive Cardiology Program evaluates patients for possible plaque buildup in their arteries, which can lead to heart and vascular problems such as heart attack, stroke and reduced circulation. With prevention in mind, we offer lifestyle updates, education and cholesterol management when needed. The Preventive Cardiology Program helps individuals do all they can to prevent heart or vascular disease.

Lipid Therapy

Lipids are fats and fatty substances, including cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL). Lipids travel in the bloodstream and abnormal lipid levels in the blood increase the risk of atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries) and other heart and vascular disease.

Treating lipid disorders can help prevent heart attack, stroke and other serious conditions that cause disability and shorten lives. The Preventive Cardiology Program helps patients manage their lipid levels to help them stay healthy. Typically, we will make a lipid diagnosis, establish the best treatment for each patient, and ensure the therapy is working. We work closely with primary care doctors and referring physicians, and patients are often returned to the care of their own doctor after only a few visits.

As an academic medical center, our heart and vascular physicians are specialists who have access to resources not always available at other medical centers. Because patients may experience more than one type of heart and vascular condition, our patients benefit from our collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to care.

Conditions

By treating lipid abnormalities, including high blood cholesterol (hyperlipidemia and dyslipidemia), we can help patients reduce their risk of serious heart and vascular conditions, including: stroke, coronary artery disease and peripheral artery disease (PAD), among others. Learn more about lipid abnormalities.

Diagnostics

It’s important to accurately diagnose lipid disorders in order to find the best treatment approach. The most common tests used include: cholesterol test (lipid panel), advanced lipid profile testing, exercise stress testing and coronary artery calcium scoring. In addition to these more common tests, our team of cardiac specialists also performs lipoprotein(a) blood tests, which look for a lesser known type of LDL, or bad cholesterol, in the blood. Read more about our advanced diagnostics.

Treatments

The science of treating lipids has advanced dramatically in recent years, both in terms of medications, such as statins, and preventive lifestyle changes. We work with our patients to make sure they understand their risks and all of their treatment options. Read more about how we treat high cholesterol and lipid disorders.

Exceptional Staff

Our physicians are at the forefront of understanding, treating and diagnosing heart and vascular disease. The Preventive Cardiology Program is led by a team of board-certified physicians. Collaborating with heart and vascular physicians, as well as lipid therapy specialists, our team creates the right prevention plan for each patient. 

In addition, the program is staffed by pharmacists who advise patients on the benefits of regular medication, a nurse who can guide patients to a healthier diet and an exercise physiologist who helps individuals incorporate an appropriate level of physical activity into their daily schedules. Our team also works with lipid therapy specialists within the Endocrinology Department. Read more about our exceptional staff.