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Cholesterol Clinic
A cholesterol consultation is for problems such as levels that stay high, trouble with medicines or high cholesterol that runs in the family. A cardiologist goes through your blood test results and the treatment options with you.
LDL particles carry cholesterol in your blood. Too much LDL cholesterol can lead to fatty deposits, called plaque, in artery walls. This build-up, known as atherosclerosis, can increase the chance of heart disease, heart attack and stroke.
A blood test measures your cholesterol level, but what the result means depends on the rest of your health. Someone who has already had a heart attack may need a different LDL target from someone with the same result and no known artery disease. Blood pressure, diabetes, smoking and family history also affect the likely benefit of lowering LDL.
At the appointment, the cardiologist will look at those details together with any treatment you've tried. The discussion can cover whether a medicine change would help, whether an inherited condition is likely and how to check that treatment is working.
Call triple zero (000) for severe, worsening or persistent chest pain, or chest discomfort with breathlessness, sweating, nausea or pain spreading to your arm, jaw or back.
Do not wait for a routine appointment or drive yourself to hospital.
A cholesterol blood test is often called a lipid profile. Total cholesterol is the overall amount of cholesterol in the sample.
This is the amount of cholesterol carried in LDL particles. A high LDL level can lead to plaque in artery walls, so lowering LDL is often a main aim of treatment.
HDL helps carry cholesterol back to the liver. Its level is one of the measures used to estimate the chance of heart disease and stroke, but medicines that raise HDL haven't been shown to prevent heart attacks or strokes.
Non-HDL is total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol. It includes cholesterol carried by LDL and other particles linked to artery disease.
Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood. Levels may rise with diabetes, drinking more alcohol or other health conditions. High triglycerides can also increase the chance of heart disease and may need different treatment from high LDL.
The reference range on a blood test report is a general guide, and your personal LDL target may be lower. Your doctor recommends a level based on your health, including whether you have artery disease or an inherited cholesterol condition.
Treatment can include:
Familial hypercholesterolaemia, or FH, is an inherited condition that causes high LDL cholesterol from birth. The liver doesn't remove LDL from the blood as well as it should, so the arteries are exposed to high levels over many years. Healthy eating and activity help, but FH usually needs medicine as well.
Your doctor may check for FH if you've had very high cholesterol from a young age. They'll also ask whether anyone in your family has FH or a close relative had a heart attack at a young age. These clues alone don't confirm FH.
To assess for FH, your doctor looks at cholesterol results from before treatment, asks about your medical and family history, and examines you. A genetic test may find a gene change that causes FH. A negative result doesn't rule out FH, which can be diagnosed without genetic testing.
The usual heart disease risk calculator isn't suitable for FH. If FH is diagnosed, relatives can ask their doctor about cholesterol testing. Genetic tests and testing for relatives are separate from the Heartscope consultation.
Your doctor may repeat the test if a result is unexpected or to see how treatment is working. They'll check which medicines you were taking when comparing results. A separate pathology service does the blood tests, so follow its instructions about eating and drinking before the test.
Blood tests can also look for conditions affecting cholesterol and other blood fats, such as diabetes or an underactive thyroid. Kidney and liver tests help the doctor investigate the result and choose suitable medicines.
At the visit, the cardiologist will discuss your results, any treatments you've tried and why you were referred.
Consultations are privately billed. If you're eligible, Medicare pays part of the consultation fee when you have a valid referral from your GP or specialist. The clinic will confirm the amount left to pay before the visit.
Your GP will receive a report with the results and advice about treatment. Any further tests have separate fees, so check the cost with the test provider.
Heartscope cardiologists see patients at clinics in Melbourne and Queensland. If you have a referral, our team can confirm the location and appointment details.
View clinic locationsYes. With a valid referral from your GP or specialist, you may be able to see a cardiologist who can explain your cholesterol results and advise on treatment. Separate providers do the blood tests and any genetic testing that's needed.
Yes. Inherited factors, another health condition or a medicine you take can keep cholesterol high.
Cholesterol varies from test to test. Eating beforehand, or a change in your medicine or health, can affect the result. Comparing results over time helps show whether the change lasts.
An improved result may mean the medicine is working. Keep taking it as prescribed and discuss any change with the prescribing doctor. Your results and any side effects help the doctor decide whether to change treatment.
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