It is important for many bodily functions, including making hormones, vitamin D, and bile acids, that it is found in your blood. However, having too much cholesterol in your blood can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. It is because excess cholesterol can build up in the walls of your arteries and form plaques that narrow and harden the arteries, which reduce blood flow and oxygen supply to vital organs.
Among the factors that influence cholesterol levels are genetics, diet, lifestyle, age, gender, and health conditions. There are two types of cholesterol: low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Since LDL transports cholesterol from the liver to the cells and deposits it in the arteries, it's often referred to as the "bad" cholesterol. A healthy balance of cholesterol levels is essential to prevent and manage cardiovascular disease. HDL carries cholesterol from the cells back to the liver, where it can be eliminated from the body.
People may, however, face barriers to accessing quality cholesterol care due to high costs, long wait times, lack of privacy, or stigma. Direct primary care (DPC) can help in those situations. This is a business model where primary care physicians offer their services directly to their patients in exchange for a monthly or annual fee without the middleman. Several primary care services are covered by the membership fee, including consultations, exams, care coordination, and some lab services.
Cholesterol patients can benefit from DPC in several ways, including:
Doctors with DPCs typically have fewer patients than primary care physicians, so they can provide more personalized care and spend more time with their patients. As a result, you may feel more comfortable discussing your cholesterol concerns with your doctor and build a trusting relationship with him or her.
The availability of flexible scheduling, same-day appointments, and extended hours is a benefit of DPC practices. In addition to communicating with patients and providing care remotely, they also use technology such as phone calls, email, and video chats. Your doctor can be reached whenever you have a question or need a prescription refill, saving you time and hassle when you visit the clinic.
More affordability and transparency: DPC practices charge a flat fee that covers most of your primary care needs. In addition, you'll know exactly what you're paying for and what services are included in your membership. You don't have to worry about deductibles, copays, coinsurance, or surprise bills. Some DPC practices may also offer discounts on medication and lab testing.
DPC offers the following benefits when it comes to cholesterol care:
As part of their preventive care services, DPC practices encourage cholesterol screening and other cardiovascular risk factors. Additionally, they offer fast, accurate testing and treatment for high cholesterol based on evidence-based guidelines. You can lower your cholesterol levels and reduce your risk of developing cardiovascular disease by getting tested and treated early.
A DPC practice provides comprehensive cholesterol care, including monitoring cholesterol levels, checking treatment response, and adjusting medication dosage as needed. To maintain healthy cholesterol levels and prevent complications or side effects from medication, they also provide follow-up testing and counseling. If necessary, they coordinate with other health care providers or specialists.
DPC practices provide cholesterol patients with education and support, including information about how to lower cholesterol naturally through diet and lifestyle changes, how to use medication safely and effectively, and how to cope with the emotional impact of high cholesterol. In addition, they can refer you to other resources and services that can help you improve your cardiovascular health.
In DPC practices, cholesterol management is tailored to your specific needs and preferences. Examples include:
DPC doctors may suggest alternative or complementary therapies that may help reduce your cholesterol levels or reduce side effects from medications if you prefer a natural or holistic approach.
Your DPC doctor may adjust your treatment plan and monitor you closely if you have diabetes, thyroid disorders, or kidney disease that may affect your cholesterol treatment or outcome.
Your DPC doctor may use reminders or incentives to help you stay on track with your cholesterol treatment regimen or remember to take your medication on time.
Your DPC doctor may use secure communication channels or encryption methods to protect your personal information if you have concerns about confidentiality.
You can see from these examples that DPC is an effective way to manage your cholesterol and improve your cardiovascular health. The famous quote by Benjamin Franklin is, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” DPC is a medical model that emphasizes prevention and wellness rather than disease and illness. Patients with chronic and complex conditions like high cholesterol are treated with respect and interest by a DPC model of medicine. You can learn more about DPC on the websites of the American Academy of Family Physicians or the Direct Primary Care Coalition if you're interested in joining a DPC practice.
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