Lipid Disorders Treatment

Prevention works. That’s the basis of treating most high cholesterol and lipid disorders. Healthy lifestyle choices can prevent high cholesterol and controlling lipid abnormalities can prevent serious heart and vascular disease. Not every treatment works for every patient, so our preventive cardiology and lipid therapy experts use national, evidence-based guidelines to find the best approach for each patient. Two common treatment approaches are preventive cardiology and lifestyle changes, and medications and optimal medical therapy.

Preventive Cardiology and Lifestyle Changes

Not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and a healthy diet, and getting regular exercise can all help prevent some lipid disorders. Treating and controlling other underlying diseases can also help prevent abnormal lipid levels. We work with dietitians and other medical professionals to help our patients develop healthier habits.

Medications and Optimal Medical Therapy

Lifestyle changes aren’t always possible or practical for all patients with lipid abnormalities. Medications, such as statins, are effective in lowering cholesterol levels for many patients. Other medications, including bile acid sequestrants, cholesterol absorption inhibitors, fibric acid derivatives and niacin, can help control lipid levels. Every medication has its own risks and benefits. We work closely with our patients to ensure their therapy is working and to adjust statins and other medications as necessary.

Lipid Clinic

Our lipid clinic is designed to treat patients who have particularly challenging lipid disorders. Our experts also focus on helping improve social factors that can lead to lipid disorders and premature cardiovascular disease.

This specialized clinic is staffed by a board-certified cardiologist experienced in cardiovascular disease prevention, clinical lipidology, imaging and genetics.

People who have lipid conditions that have not responded well to treatment or who have had repeated cardiovascular events, even with appropriate treatment, may be good candidates for treatment in our lipid clinic. Your care team may recommend treatment in our lipid clinic for hard-to-treat cholesterol disorders if you:

• Have an inherited lipid disorder such as familial hypercholesterolemia or high Lp(a)
• Have elevated triglycerides or other blood lipid abnormalities
• Cannot tolerate statins or other lipid control medications

As part of diagnosis of lipid disorders, the clinic offers genetic testing, and we screen family members who may be affected by inherited lipid conditions. With an in-depth diagnostic evaluation, we can create individualized treatment plans that include targeted, advanced and innovative lipid-modifying therapies such as lipoprotein apheresis. Lipoprotein apheresis is a treatment using technology that filters the blood to remove LP(a) and high LDL cholesterol. It is the only efficient therapy FDA-approved for lowering LP(a) levels.

We will also help you reach your goals to normalize your levels of LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and apolipoprotein B (apoB). A high level of apoB increases your risk for diabetes, stroke and heart attack.

As an important part of treatment, we emphasize lifestyle changes that will contribute to lipid disorder control and improved health, such as:

• Changes in diet, including reducing saturated fats and increasing fiber content in your foods
• Regular physical activity
• Reaching a healthy weight
• Getting enough sleep
• Managing stress