Lipid Disorder & Cholesterol Management

It has been established for many years that there is a strong connection between cholesterol levels and the development of coronary artery disease, heart attack, and angina. It is also known that the same connection exists between elevated cholesterol levels and diseases in arteries in the legs (which can cause intermittent claudication or cramping), and atherosclerosis in the arteries of the brain (which can cause strokes). It has also been shown conclusively that in patients who already had a heart attack, lowering cholesterol levels can prevent progression of this disease and may stop a second heart attack from occurring. Even more importantly, if a person has not had a heart attack or other manifestations of arterial disease, lowering cholesterol in certain selected patients before the onset of disease will prevent both heart attack and stroke.

Cholesterol can be lowered by many methods including diet and exercise. Modern medicine also has at its disposal an entire arsenal of medications which can further lower cholesterol if lifestyle changes fail. It is important to have a relationship with your physician so that cholesterol levels can be integrated into the total picture of your health. While some people will not need to have cholesterol levels lowered until they are extremely high, in other people, the doctor might want to keep cholesterols at a very low level.

Similarly, a physician who knows you well will be able to balance cholesterol-lowering interventions with other treatments that you are receiving. At Cardiac Specialists, we are in the unique position to be able to offer comprehensive lipid management in both people who have already had heart attacks or blockages in arteries to other parts of their body, as well as to people who are trying to prevent arterial disease earlier. All therapy is done in conjunction and communication with your primary doctor.

To learn more about cholesterol and cholesterol lowering, please see the American Heart Association and the National Institutes of Health Web sites.