Clark Memorial Cardiologist Participates In A National Trial On Cholesterol
Dr. Saleem Seyal, a cardiologist at Clark Memorial, is participating in a national study to lower patients’ cholesterol.
The board-certified cardiologist is working with other physicians around the country on a study of “TNT – Targets to New Treatment.”
“The study involves lowering the low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) or bad cholesterol, in an individual and is a step toward preventive heart care,” Dr. Seyal says.
The goal is to aggressively treat high cholesterol numbers. A lipid profile of a patient reveals LDL, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol or more commonly known as your good cholesterol. A normal LDL should be below 100 points, according to the National Cholesterol Guidelines in patients with coronary artery disease or diabetes without coronary artery disease.
“TNT strives to lower a patient’s LDL even more than the national guideline,” Dr. Seyal says. “Through a regiment of medications and patient education, the study is trying to lower the LDL to the 70 – 80 point range.”
“Statistics show that by lowering the LDL even to 100 points, you can decrease the overall chance of a patient suffering from a heart attack, stroke or the need for bypass surgery,” Dr. Seyal says.
In addition to the 80 patients he has participating in the TNT study, Dr. Seyal works with all of his patients to lower their overall cholesterol.
“Only 25 – 30 percent of individuals with high cholesterol are actually treated with cholesterol lowering medications,” Dr. Seyal says. “Unfortunately patients don’t know the value of lowering their cholesterol when it comes to preventing heart disease.”
It is important to know your cholesterol numbers and ways it can be lowered through everyday diet and exercise.
“Overall, the study has proven successful so far,” Dr. Seyal says. “The study will continue over the next several years with follow up examination on the patients that have participated.”
If you would like to have a lipid profile screening, stop by the Wellness Center at Clark Memorial Monday – Friday, from 6 a.m. – 7 p.m. Cholesterol screenings with lipid profile are available for $20. It is recommended that you fast for 12 hours prior to the screening. For more information, call the Healthy Lifestyle Center at 284-3754
About Us
• Vital Stats • Services
• Emergency
Staff • Calendar • Contacts • News
Births • Gift Shop • Careers • Links
HOME