Think you may have high cholesterol?

You may need a blood test and prescription treatment.

High Cholesterol

Hyperlipidemia, better known as high cholesterol, is an elevated level of lipids (fats) like cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Too much cholesterol can cause your arteries to harden and narrow, which leads to decreased blood flow around the body.

The condition can be genetic but is usually acquired, meaning you can prevent it with diet and exercise. Hyperlipidemia is directly linked to cardiovascular disease, which is the leading cause of death in both the United States and the world.

Diagnosing High Cholesterol

High cholesterol is diagnosed with a simple blood test called a “Lipid Panel." Your Alpha Provider will evaluate the results of your lipid panel combined with other risk factors to estimate your 10-year and lifetime risks for cardiovascular disease and will recommend the best treatment for you.

How We Administer Tests

Our Partner Lab

$16 (insurance accepted)

We partner with Quest Diagnostics to administer the Lipid Panel (pricing may vary in NY).

Lab of Your Choice

Pricing may vary

Getting Your Lab Results

Your Alpha Provider will contact you to discuss the results of your blood test and next steps. If your lipid panel is elevated, in combination with other risk factors, your provider will ask you to complete ALT and AST tests to check your liver function before prescribing medication. The tests can be completed via:

Our Partner Lab

$12 (insurance accepted)

We partner with Quest Diagnostics to administer the ALT & AST tests (pricing may vary in NY).

Lab of Your Choice

Pricing may vary

Already Diagnosed with High Cholesterol?

If you have pre-existing high cholesterol, we can treat you without requiring additional lab tests if you can provide your lab results from within the last year.

Get the Treatment You Need

Lifestyle modifications are the first treatment for patients with high cholesterol, including smoking cessation, increasing aerobic exercise, and diet modification. Your Alpha Provider may prescribe medications in addition to lifestyle changes. You may need a second lab test prior to being prescribed medication in order to assess your liver function.

Statins

Statins reduce the amount of cholesterol your liver makes by blocking an enzyme, called HMG CoA Reductase, which is important in production of cholesterol by the liver. Your Alpha Provider will periodically check your lipid panel to see if the medication is helping reduce your cholesterol. Dosing is individualized and often based on age, weight, and heart disease status.

Atorvastatin
Rosuvastatin
Pravastatin
Simvastatin
Lovastatin
Fluvastatin (extended release available)

Ezetimibe
Ezetimibe and Simvastatin

Other Medications

Fenofibrate
Colesevelam
Gemfibrozil
Icosapent ethyl
Omega-3 ethyl esters

Your Alpha Provider can help you find the right dose of treatment that is simple, safe, and effective.

Get treated

Learn About High Cholesterol

High cholesterol usually has no symptoms, which is why it’s so important to be screened for it.

Foods that may help

A healthy, low fat diet is an important part of treatment and overall healthy lifestyle. To avoid cardiovascular disease, it is recommended that patients avoid excess saturated fats. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins is most beneficial.

THESE FOODS MAY HELP:

soy foods
foods containing added plant stanols or sterols and dietary supplements
whole grains (rice bran, wheat germ, oat bran, whole wheat, brown rice)
some legumes (dried peas, beans, lentils, peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds)
fruits and vegetables (oranges, apples, avocado, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, berries)
whole flaxseed and flaxseed lignans but not flaxseed oil
garlic supplements
green tea
red yeast rice
oats or oat bran

Risk factors

The risk of developing high cholesterol increases with age.

YOU'RE MORE LIKELY TO HAVE HIGH CHOLESTEROL IF YOU:

Eat foods that have cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fats
Smoke, have diabetes, are overweight, or follow a poor diet are at increased risk
Have a first degree relative with high cholesterol and heart disease at a young age (you are also more likely to develop heart disease)