Chronic Disease & General Internal Medicine

Steady Care for Everyday and Long-Term Health From chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia
to everyday concerns like a cold or digestive symptoms, The Heart Clinic pairs precise diagnosis with structured,
ongoing management to support your health at every stage.

Hyperlipidemia and lipid classification thresholds for total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol, with LDL targets set according to individual cardiovascular risk.

LDL and non-HDL cholesterol targets across five cardiovascular risk levels, from coronary artery disease and cerebrovascular, peripheral vascular, or long-standing diabetic disease through moderate and low risk.

Lifestyle changes as the starting point of treatment: balanced meals, weight loss, more daily activity, a consistent exercise routine, and limiting or avoiding alcohol.

Hidden Causes
of Elevated Cholesterol

can build up or fail to clear properly due to underlying causes
like hypothyroidism, kidney or liver disease, obesity,
pregnancy, or certain medications.

Your Current Medications Are Worth Reviewing, Too

A medication you're already taking could be part of what's driving your cholesterol or triglyceride levels up. Before starting treatment for hyperlipidemia, it's worth reviewing your existing conditions and medications together to check for a hidden underlying cause.

can build up excessively due to underlying factors like heavy alcohol intake,
a high-carbohydrate diet, poorly controlled diabetes, obesity, kidney disease,
or certain medications.

Your Current Medications Are Worth Reviewing, Too

A clinician explaining cholesterol buildup in an artery model

Diagnostic Process

Dyslipidemia treatment is about setting the right target and reaching it while minimizing side effects.
At The Heart Internal Medicine Clinic, we help guide that process with you.

CV Risk Assessment: Evaluates overall
cardiovascular risk and sets
an individualized LDL
cholesterol target.

Secondary Causes: Reviews thyroid, kidney,
and liver function, medications,
and other causes of
elevated lipids.

Medication Adjustment: Medication is adjusted
step by step according to
target levels, risk, and
coexisting conditions.

Side Effect Monitoring: Symptoms, liver enzymes,
and treatment response
are monitored regularly.

Integrated Care: Lipid management is tailored
to coexisting conditions.

Frequently Asked
Questions

A few things worth knowing before your visit.

How does treatment for hyperlipidemia typically proceed?: Treatment is approached in stages, based on your cardiovascular risk
and your LDL cholesterol target. It usually starts with a statin, the standard
first-line medication for lowering LDL. If your target isn't reached, ezetimibe —
which reduces cholesterol absorption in the intestine — is added. For patients
in the high or very-high-risk category whose cholesterol remains
difficult to control after that, a PCSK9 inhibitor, given as an injection every two
or four weeks, may be considered.

Are there side effects with statins?: Some patients experience muscle aches or discomfort while on a statin, but true
muscle damage is rare. That said, if the aches persist or come with muscle weakness,
a blood test to check muscle enzyme levels is warranted. If a statin isn't well tolerated,
your physician can switch medications, adjust the dose, add ezetimibe, or move
to alternate-day dosing — the treatment plan can be tailored to what works for you.
Because statins can also affect liver function, lipid levels and liver function
are checked periodically during treatment. For patients with active or chronic
liver disease, or who are pregnant or breastfeeding,
an alternative medication is typically considered first.

If my numbers improve on medication, can I stop taking it?: Improved numbers most likely reflect the combined effect of your medication
and lifestyle changes. Stopping medication on your own can cause LDL cholesterol
to rise again, increasing your cardiovascular risk. Any decision to stop
or adjust your dose should always be made together with your physician.

Can dyslipidemia be inherited?: Yes.
Inherited conditions such as familial hypercholesterolemia can cause very high LDL levels
even at a young age. If a parent or sibling has had a heart attack, stroke, or dyslipidemia,
regular screening is recommended.

Can lifestyle changes alone lower cholesterol?: Lifestyle changes are the foundation of treatment for every case of hyperlipidemia.
Weight loss, regular exercise, quitting smoking, and a healthy diet alone can help
lower both LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. That said, if genetic factors are involved
or your cardiovascular risk is high, medication may be needed alongside lifestyle changes.

Directions

NH Nonghyup Tower, 2F near Starbucks

Dyslipidemia | THE HEART CLINIC

Chronic Disease & General Internal Medicine

Hidden Causes
of Elevated Cholesterol

Your Current Medications Are Worth Reviewing, Too

Your Current Medications Are Worth Reviewing, Too

Diagnostic Process

Frequently Asked
Questions

134 Tongil-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
NH Nonghyup Tower, 2F

Clinic Hours

Directions

NH Nonghyup Tower, 2F near Starbucks

Chronic Disease & General Internal Medicine

Hidden Causesof Elevated Cholesterol

Your Current Medications Are Worth Reviewing, Too

Your Current Medications Are Worth Reviewing, Too

Diagnostic Process

Frequently AskedQuestions

134 Tongil-ro,Jongno-gu, SeoulNH Nonghyup Tower, 2F

Clinic Hours

Hidden Causes
of Elevated Cholesterol

Frequently Asked
Questions

134 Tongil-ro,
Jongno-gu, Seoul
NH Nonghyup Tower, 2F