Cardiovascular Prevention

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death for both men and women in the United States and throughout the world. 

Fortunately, when risks are identified early, they can be treated quickly. This makes it easier and more effective to manage, treat, and prevent complications—as well as promote greater cardiac health. At Weill Cornell’s Preventive Cardiology practice, our mission is to prevent cardiovascular disease in high-risk individuals. 

Our expert preventive cardiologists take the time to understand each patient’s unique history and needs and then create a targeted treatment plan to reduce the likelihood of heart attack, stroke, bypass surgery, or angioplasty.

Should You Visit a Preventive Cardiologist?

Individuals with any of the following may be at increased risk for heart disease or rapid progression of heart disease. If you have any of these characteristics, you will benefit from an evaluation by our Preventive Cardiology team.

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Hyperlipidemia/Dyslipidemia (high total cholesterol, high LDL cholesterol, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol)
• Diabetes or prediabetes
• Overweight status or high BMI
• Current or prior history of smoking
• Family history of heart attack, stroke, or sudden death, especially at an early age (less than 45 years old in a male relative or less than 55 years old in a female relative)
• Inflammatory disorders or rheumatologic disease (lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease)
• History of premature menopause from natural or medical causes
• History of complicated pregnancy (gestational diabetes, high blood pressure, preeclampsia, or a low birth weight for baby)
• Certain chemotherapies and radiation therapies for cancer treatment
• Personal history of heart disease, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease at an early age (less than 65 years)

Our Treatment Approach

All of our providers have advanced lipid board certification (ABCL). To prevent cardiovascular disease in high-risk patients we first work to understand their cardiac health and individual needs. Each patient receives: 

• In-depth cardiovascular evaluation, including a full medical history and examination of lifestyle habits
• Individualized lipid analysis
• Biomarker screening
• Advanced cardiac imaging

Using the cardiovascular assessment, laboratory studies, and advanced cardiac imaging, your cardiologist determines your risk for heart disease and provides a personalized treatment plan to slow the progression of current heart problems and prevent future problems. 

Your health plan may include: 

• Diet and exercise suggestions
• Medication changes (for example, statin therapy or newer cholesterol-lowering therapies, called PCSK9 inhibitors) 
• Suggestions for stress reduction 

Services We Offer

Some of the services we offer include:

• Consultative evaluation
• Advanced multimodality diagnostic testing
• Comprehensive cardiac and medical management
• Referrals to partner specialties to manage conditions that may increase cardiac risk
• Partnership with therapeutic interventional cardiologists, electrophysiologists, and surgical specialties (if invasive therapy is needed)
• Access to cutting edge new therapies through clinical trials
• Apheresis for patients with genetic cholesterol disorders