High Cholesterol Treatment in Beverly Hills
What Constitutes High Cholesterol?
High cholesterol occurs when certain lipids in the blood, particularly LDL cholesterol, are elevated enough to increase the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries. Cholesterol itself is essential for normal bodily functions, but persistently elevated levels can contribute to atherosclerosis and increase the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other cardiovascular complications.
Dr. Omeed Warej brings expertise in both internal medicine and cardiovascular disease to the evaluation and management of high cholesterol. Rather than considering a cholesterol number on its own, he evaluates your lipid profile alongside your blood pressure, metabolic health, family history, lifestyle, medical history, and other factors that influence cardiovascular risk.
His approach may also incorporate more advanced lipid and cardiovascular testing when additional information could meaningfully affect your care. As a double board-certified cardiologist, Dr. Warej can help determine whether lifestyle changes, medication, additional testing, or a combination of approaches is appropriate for your individual risk profile.
The Signs and Symptoms of High Cholesterol
High cholesterol typically does not cause noticeable symptoms. Most people discover they have elevated cholesterol through routine blood testing or cardiovascular risk evaluation. When cholesterol has contributed to significant atherosclerosis, symptoms may eventually develop depending on which arteries are affected and may include:
Pressure, tightness, or discomfort that may occur when blood flow to the heart is restricted
Difficulty breathing that may occur when cardiovascular disease affects heart function or circulation
Becoming unusually tired or winded during activities that were previously manageable
Cramping or aching during walking that improves with rest may indicate reduced blood flow to the legs
Symptoms that can occur when circulation to the brain or other areas is affected
Weakness, numbness, difficulty speaking, or vision changes can indicate a serious vascular event
Because high cholesterol itself is usually silent, feeling healthy does not necessarily mean your cholesterol or cardiovascular risk is low. Severe chest pain, significant difficulty breathing, sudden weakness or numbness, difficulty speaking, or other potentially serious symptoms require immediate medical evaluation rather than waiting for a routine appointment.
How High Cholesterol Is Treated
High cholesterol treatment depends on your lipid levels, overall cardiovascular risk, family history, existing cardiovascular disease, other medical conditions, and how you respond to lifestyle or medication changes. Some patients can manage cholesterol through targeted lifestyle changes, while others benefit from medication to reduce their long-term risk.
Dr. Warej begins by determining how your cholesterol fits into your broader cardiovascular profile.
Depending on your circumstances, care may include:
Reviewing LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and other components of your standard lipid profile
Evaluating biomarkers such as ApoB, Lp(a), LDL particle number, oxidized LDL, and other measures when clinically appropriate
Considering blood pressure, diabetes, family history, smoking history, metabolic health, age, and other relevant risk factors
Determining whether cholesterol-lowering medication may be appropriate and monitoring its effectiveness and tolerability
Addressing nutrition, physical activity, weight, sleep, and other modifiable contributors to cardiovascular risk
Evaluating conditions such as insulin resistance, diabetes, and obesity that may influence lipid levels and cardiovascular health
Tracking cholesterol and other cardiovascular markers over time to assess treatment response
Coordinating additional cardiovascular or specialty care when a patient's risk profile or condition warrants further evaluation
Cholesterol levels should be interpreted in context. Two people with the same LDL cholesterol may have very different overall cardiovascular risks based on their age, family history, metabolic health, existing plaque, and other factors. Dr. Warej uses this broader perspective to determine how aggressively cholesterol should be addressed and how treatment should evolve over time.
Our Concierge Primary Care Membership Programs
High cholesterol management can be incorporated into our concierge membership structure, with the scope of cardiovascular and primary care services varying by membership level.
Cardiovascular Specialty Membership
Designed for patients who maintain a trusted primary care physician but want dedicated cardiovascular oversight. Dr. Warej can evaluate and manage cholesterol and related cardiovascular risk while coordinating with your primary care physician as needed.
Cardiovascular + Primary Care Membership
Dr. Warej serves as both your primary care physician and cardiologist, allowing cholesterol management to be addressed alongside medications, chronic conditions, preventive care, metabolic health, and other aspects of your overall health.
Executive Concierge Program
Our most comprehensive membership, with enhanced physician access and three levels of concierge service. Depending on the selected level, members may receive priority access, direct physician communication, broader care coordination, and additional cardiovascular and preventive services.
The appropriate membership depends on whether you want dedicated cardiovascular oversight or prefer to have cholesterol management integrated into a broader primary and cardiovascular healthcare relationship.
FAQs About High Cholesterol
What type of doctor treats high cholesterol?
A high cholesterol doctor in Beverly Hills may be a primary care physician or cardiologist with experience evaluating lipid disorders and cardiovascular risk. Dr. Warej's dual training in internal medicine and cardiovascular disease allows him to consider cholesterol management within the context of your broader health and long-term cardiovascular risk.
When should I see a cardiologist for high cholesterol?
A cardiology evaluation may be appropriate if you have significantly elevated cholesterol, a strong family history of premature cardiovascular disease, elevated ApoB or Lp(a), known arterial plaque, diabetes, or other significant cardiovascular risk factors. A cardiologist for high cholesterol in Beverly Hills can help determine whether advanced testing or medication is appropriate.
What cholesterol number is considered too high?
There is no single cholesterol value that determines cardiovascular risk for every person. LDL cholesterol, ApoB, triglycerides, Lp(a), family history, age, blood pressure, diabetes, smoking history, and existing cardiovascular disease can all influence treatment decisions. Your physician can interpret your lipid results in the context of your individual risk.
What is ApoB, and why is it important?
ApoB is a protein found on several types of particles that can contribute to atherosclerotic plaque. Measuring ApoB can provide additional information about the number of potentially atherogenic particles in the bloodstream and may be useful when standard cholesterol measurements do not fully capture cardiovascular risk.
Should I have advanced cholesterol testing?
Advanced lipid testing may be useful for some patients when standard cholesterol measurements do not provide enough information to clarify cardiovascular risk or guide treatment. Depending on your circumstances, testing may include ApoB, Lp(a), LDL particle number, oxidized LDL, or other biomarkers. Testing should be selected based on your medical history and clinical needs rather than performed simply because additional tests are available.
Can high cholesterol be lowered without medication?
Lifestyle changes can improve cholesterol for many people, particularly through improvements in nutrition, physical activity, weight management, and metabolic health. However, lifestyle measures may not be sufficient for everyone. Medication may be appropriate when cholesterol levels or overall cardiovascular risk indicate that additional risk reduction is warranted.
How do I choose the best doctor for high cholesterol?
When considering the best high cholesterol doctor in Beverly Hills, look for a physician who can evaluate lipid levels alongside your complete cardiovascular risk profile and provide appropriate long-term monitoring. Dr. Warej's background in both internal medicine and cardiovascular disease allows him to approach cholesterol management as part of a broader strategy for cardiovascular prevention.