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Cardiology Services 710x210

Preventive Cardiology & Cholesterol Management

Cardiovascular disease — including heart disease and stroke — is the leading cause of death in the United States. It is also one of the most complex diseases to treat.

But it is also preventable and manageable through:
  • Risk assessment
  • Early diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Lifestyle changes

Whether you have one or more risk factors that might increase your chances of a first heart attack or have previously suffered from cardiovascular disease, UCI Health Preventive Cardiology & Cholesterol Management Services experts can help improve your quality of life and prevent future cardiovascular problems.

Call 714-456-6699 today to schedule a consultation.

Several factors can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular disease, including:

Age

Generally, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease increases as you get older. The overall condition of your heart, also known as your "heart age," can be estimated by examining the condition of your arteries, reviewing your risk factors and determining whether you have early-stage heart disease but don't have symptoms yet.

Blood pressure

High blood pressure is directly related to an increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Even slightly elevated blood pressure, known as prehypertension, can increase your risk.

Blood sugar

If you are diabetic or pre-diabetic, your risk of cardiovascular disease is substantially increased.

Cholesterol

The higher your level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, the "bad" cholesterol, and the lower your level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL), the "good" cholesterol, the higher your risk of cardiovascular disease. Certain genetic conditions may also cause high cholesterol levels.

Low levels of HDL cholesterol are also associated with greater risk for heart disease.

Genetics

If you have a first-degree male relative (father, brother, son, uncle) who suffered a first heart attack, stroke or other cardiovascular disease before age 55 or a female first-degree relative (mother, sister, daughter, aunt) who suffered the same before age 65, your risk of developing cardiovascular disease is increased.

Lifestyle

Smoking (including exposure to secondhand smoke), eating a high-fat diet, not getting enough physical activity or being overweight or obese can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. Regular feelings of depression, anxiety and anger may also increase your risk.

Reducing some or all of these risks is the key to having a healthier heart.

  • UCI Health Preventive Cardiology & Cholesterol Management Services is a leading referral center in Orange County for complex and difficult-to-diagnose medical conditions that can lead to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.
  • Our state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging capabilities make it possible to determine the cause and extent of heart disease. We can also identify potential problems at the earliest stages, without using invasive procedures.
  • We have a multidisciplinary team that includes a board-certified cardiologist, dietitian-nutritionist and exercise physiologist. Together, we will assess your risk for heart disease and create a comprehensive risk management plan tailored to meet your specific needs.
  • In cooperation with the UCI Health Susan Samueli Integrative Health Institute, we also offer stress management, mindfulness training, relaxation techniques and information about nutritional supplements and other complementary therapies, including traditional Chinese medicine.

Our preventive cardiology experts work with you to develop a personalized plan to reduce your risk factors by:

  • Diagnosing heart problems early
  • Offering specialized treatment that meets your needs
  • Supporting you through your lifestyle changes, which may include quitting smoking, dietary adjustments and exercise

What we offer

Our services include:

  • Evaluation by our cardiology specialists and follow-up visits to track your progress
  • Consultation with a registered dietitian-nutritionist for weight loss, if needed, and management of cardiovascular risk factors
  • Visits with a clinical exercise physiologist who provides activity counseling
  • Comprehensive lab tests to measure cardiac risk factors
  • Specialized lipid/lipoprotein testing
  • Specialized imaging tests, such as the coronary calcium scan
  • Exercise and nuclear stress tests to assess your blood flow
  • Body composition assessment to determine how much of your body's mass is lean tissue (organs, muscles, water and bone)
  • Genetic screening for cardiovascular disease
  • Cardiovascular risk profiling and risk scoring to help you stay on track with your treatment plan

Cholesterol treatment

We offer the most advanced technologies in the treatment of high cholesterol, including the latest advances in cholesterol-lowering therapies.

We also offer referrals for lipoprotein apheresis, a type of dialysis that removes cholesterol and other fats from the blood.

Our expert cardiologists work with a highly skilled team of vascular, endovascular and cardiothoracic surgeons, nurse practitioners, nurses, dietitians and exercise physiologists.

They are all dedicated to providing innovative and compassionate care to you and your loved ones.

As Orange County's only academic health system, UCI Health cardiologists not only consult with patients, they conduct research and clinical trials.

This means you will receive a higher level of care, grounded in the latest evidence-based treatments and therapies. Many of our physicians have been named Best Doctors in America® by their peers. We also have the largest team of experts dedicated to women's heart health in Orange County.

Make an Appointment

714-456-6699