Raised cholesterol is a silent contributor to arterial disease. Lipid results are interpreted together with blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history, family history and overall cardiac risk.
When to seek review
- Abnormal lipid reports
- Family history of early heart disease
- Diabetes or high blood pressure
- A previous cardiac event
How evaluation usually proceeds
- Review of lipid reports and related blood tests
- Overall cardiovascular risk assessment
- Discussion of diet, activity and medicines if appropriate
Management
Care focuses on reducing future cardiac risk. Medicine is considered when lifestyle measures alone are unlikely to be sufficient.
Sudden severe chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting, or symptoms of a possible heart attack require immediate emergency medical attention. Please call local emergency services or go to the nearest emergency department. This website does not provide emergency care.