Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) affects an estimated 13 million Americans and is the leading cause of death in both men and women in the United States.  In 2006, the estimated direct and indirect costs of CHD in the United States were estimated to be $142.5 billion.  Despite the efforts of numerous published guidelines for the management of dyslipidemia, studies have shown that cholesterol levels remain higher than recommended, despite widespread education and greater availability of cholesterol lowering therapies.  Researchers have also discovered that successful treatment rates decrease as a patient's cardiovascular risk profile worsens. 

Studies have shown that you can dramatically reduce your risk of heart disease by maintaining healthy levels of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol ("good" cholesterol) and LDL ("bad" cholesterol). 

To help you reduce your risk of heart disease, West Michigan Heart created a Lipid Clinic.  Our Lipid Clinic provides diagnosis and treatment for patients with lipid disorders.  Treatment includes medication management and consultative services to help you manage your disorders. 

Through our clinic, we monitor patients with high cholesterol who have developed or are at risk of developing coronary heart disease.  Early detection and treatment are very important factors in preventing serious complications.

After a diagnosis is made, our cardiologists develop individualized treatment recommendations that may include diet recommendations, behavioral modification, and cholesterol-lowering drugs designed to lower cholesterol levels and to reduce the risk for heart disease. 

During a visit to our clinic, patients may provide a sample of blood for laboratory analysis that includes a number of specialized tests.  Follow up visits are scheduled to monitor lipids at varying intervals.

Currently, West Michigan Heart manages over 5000 patients with varying lipid patterns and have lipid goal attainment far above the national average.