Gill Heart Institute Lipid Management Clinic

Appointments and Info:
859-323-0295  

Hours:
Clinic hours vary. Call for more information.

Location:
Gill Heart Institute
Linda and Jack Gill Building
First floor, G100
1000 South Limestone
Lexington, KY 40536-0084

  Directions to Gill Heart Institute

What the Lipid Management Clinic provides

The Lipid Management Clinic, a part of the Gill Heart Institute at UK HealthCare, provides state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment for people at risk for atherosclerosis, especially coronary artery disease. The clinic provides screening of patients who may be at risk for atherosclerosis, identification of individual risk factors, individualized treatment strategies, patient education on how to make lifestyle changes that are needed to reduce risk of heart disease, and evaluation of the benefits of interventions by monitoring lipid profile, health status and patient satisfaction with the clinic.

What is atherosclerosis?

Atherosclerosis, also known as arteriosclerosis or hardening of the arteries, is a buildup of cholesterol on the inner walls of arteries. This buildup causes the artery to narrow and eventually can lead to heart attacks. Cholesterol is a fatty substance that the body both produces and obtains from certain foods you eat.

The major risk factors for coronary atherosclerosis have been known for some time. These risk factors include: elevated cholesterol, cigarette smoking, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, a sedentary lifestyle and a family history of coronary or other atherosclerotic disease in parents or siblings before age 55.

People over the age of 20 should have a blood test to determine their cholesterol and triglycerides (another type of blood fat) levels. Children whose parents have heart disease or who are identified to be at risk for developing heart disease be screened, but they must be at least 5 years old to tolerate blood sampling.

If you are a healthy person who has a high cholesterol level, you can reduce the risk of a first-time heart attack by changing your lifestyle and lowering your cholesterol. If you already have heart disease, lowering your cholesterol and making changes in your lifestyle can slow the progress of atherosclerosis and reduce the risk of future heart attacks.

Lipid clinic physicians

Our medical staff is led by a cardiologist, Thomas F. Whayne Jr., MD, PhD; and an endocrinologist, James W. Anderson, MD, who are experienced in the latest advances in treating patients who are at high risk for coronary atherosclerosis. We offer patient evaluations by hyperlipidemia physician specialists, clinical testing, nutrition counseling, and risk-modification education. Additional arrangements can be made if further assistance is needed with smoking cessation, physical conditioning and cardiac rehabilitation.

Appointments

If you would like more information, please call the Lipid Management Clinic at 859-323-5479. Although a physician referral is not needed by our program, your health care plan may require it. Check with your health care plan before your visit.