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Stanford Health Care

Types

How We Can Help You 

Lipids, or fats that circulate in the blood, provide energy, produce hormones, and help with many other important functions. However, abnormal levels of certain lipids (either too high or too low) can lead to cardiovascular disease, heart attack, or stroke. 

At Stanford, our specialists treat the most common to the most complex lipid disorders. Because of our success with treating rare lipid conditions, we get referrals from all across the country.

Our clinical trials program actively researches better solutions for lipid disorders, so our patients have access to the newest medications and treatment options before they are available at other institutions. 

What We Offer You For Abnormal Cholesterol

  • Advanced expertise from skilled lipid specialists that understand and treat rare disorders that other clinics may not have experience with.
  • Precise diagnostic options including CT coronary artery calcium scans, which can show whether calcified or hardened plaque has built up in heart arteries.
  • Team-based treatment planning that includes a weekly lipid clinic meeting, where our specialists discuss treatments for people with complex cases.
  • Collaborative care between lipid specialists, cardiologists, geneticists, and behavioral psychologists to provide thorough, personalized treatment.
  • Comprehensive support, including follow-up visits by phone or video, a heart-healthy eating plan tailored to you by a dietitian, and support groups.
  • Active clinical trials program that gives our patients access to the most promising lipid therapies and medications before they are available to the public.

Treatment for Abnormal Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)

Many people come to Stanford with complex lipid disorders that they have been unable to manage. Our specialists have devised successful treatments for the rarest cholesterol conditions. 

To diagnose dyslipidemia, we conduct a thorough lipid panel (a blood test that measures lipid levels). We test your blood at frequent intervals to give you the most personalized and specific treatment possible. 

Our protocol for managing cholesterol involves you as a partner in your treatment. Our team, which includes cardiologists, internists, advance practice coordinators, and behavioral psychologists support you in making healthy lifestyle changes. We also use the most advanced drugs available. Our tailored approach can significantly reduce your risk of developing heart disease or having a heart attack or stroke.

Depending on your needs, you care plan may include one or a combination of the following treatments:

Stanford’s highly trained lipid specialists have expertise in diagnosing and treating the rarest forms of cholesterol disorders.

Lifestyle Modification

Often, the first step in treating lipid disorders is to make healthy lifestyle changes. The amount and quality of the food you eat and your level of activity affect your cholesterol levels. The doctors at our Preventive Cardiology Clinic outline a treatment plan for you, and the behavioral psychologists and other specialists at our Cardiac Behavioral Medicine Program help you achieve those goals. Our team helps you make positive effects on your cholesterol levels through small changes to your daily life, including: 

  • Losing weight 
  • Stopping smoking
  • Reducing stress
  • Getting more exercise
  • Limiting alcohol

Your care providers support you in this process with in-person meetings or even follow-ups over the phone . We give you the tools you need to track your progress with apps and wearable devices (such as activity monitors). Because this technology can sync up with our MyHealth system, we can monitor your data in real time, too. 

Medication

Many people can successfully control their lipid levels through positive lifestyle changes, while others may need medication as well. Some drugs lower the levels of bad (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides, both of which can cause heart disease at high levels. Other medications may increase good (HDL) cholesterol to help lower the risk of heart disease. 

We prescribe the newest lipid lowering medication called PCSK9 inhibitors. These drugs are especially helpful for people with familial hypercholesterolemia who have not had success in lowering their lipids using statins (one of the most common medications for lowering cholesterol).

Most cholesterol medications have few side effects, but your care team works with you to find the drug that best suits your needs. 

Heart Disease is Preventable.

Genetic Counseling

If we suspect that the condition may be hereditary, we work closely with the Stanford Center for Inherited Cardiovascular Disease. The center’s genetic counselors offer expertise in diagnosing and treating hereditary hyperlipidemias, including familial hypercholesterolemia. They support you through the testing process and help you understand the implications of any findings.

Clinical Trials

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Open Clinical Trials

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Clinical trials are research studies that evaluate a new medical approach, device, drug, or other treatment. As a Stanford Health Care patient, you may have access to the latest, advanced clinical trials.

At Stanford, we are at the forefront of new lipid therapies. We are able to give people who fit certain criteria access to the newest medications and treatments, sometimes even before they are approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or are available at other centers. 

We are currently studying the link between heart disease and cholesterol to establish new treatment protocols for people who have both conditions. 

Open trials refer to studies that are currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.

Open trials refer to studies currently recruiting participants or that may recruit participants in the near future. Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but similar studies may open in the future.

To learn more about the clinical trials we offer, contact CT CONTACT NAME and Phone NUMBER

Closed trials are not currently enrolling, but may open in the future.

What Is Abnormal Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)?

Types of Abnormal Cholesterol (Dyslipidemia)

There are many causes for abnormal cholesterol. At Stanford, our providers are highly skilled in diagnosing and managing all types of lipid disorders.

Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH)

This type of dyslipidemia, also known as a familial lipid disorder, is hereditary. We may diagnose FH in young, healthy people who do not have any of the lifestyle factors that often lead to cholesterol conditions. These patients usually have a family history of early heart disease.

People with this type of familial condition will need to take medication to lower their cholesterol because changing lifestyle factors alone will not return their lipid levels to normal. 

Other Forms of Dyslipidemia

The majority of dyslipidemia develops because of lifestyle conditions, such as obesity, inactivity, poor diet, or excess alcohol consumption. Sometimes dyslipidemia can develop from other conditions such as type 2 diabetes. Often, making healthy changes is enough to improve lipid levels in most people. Some people may need to combine lifestyle modifications with medication to see results. 

Our Clinics

Preventive Cardiology

Our expert team of providers help you prevent heart conditions by recognizing the earliest symptoms and risk factors, including high cholesterol. We offer an integrated approach to patient care that includes lifestyle counseling and support.

300 Pasteur Drive
2nd Floor, Room A260
 Stanford, CA 94305
Phone: 650-725-5909 Getting Here
Make An Appointment

To schedule an appointment, please call: 650-723-6459