How to Initiate Treatment for Patients with Cardiometabolic Risk Factors

In this episode:

Guest Benjamin Hirsh, MD, and our hosts discuss and debate approaches for evaluating and initiating treatment for a patient with cardiovascular disease risk.

• First step in treating patients is determining risk by evaluating cholesterol levels, A1c, blood pressure, and family history.
• Lipoprotein (a), C-reactive protein, and coronary calcium score can be useful in determining treatment approaches for patient with CVD risk.
• “We have so many tools in our toolbox now to address the cardiovascular risk of our patients, and they’re outside the realm of lipid management.” – Elena Christofides, MD
• “What we’ve found is that these [newer diabetes] medications have improved their glycemic control, their blood pressure, their weight... to really address the metabolic issues while also reducing [CVD] risk.” – Benjamin Hirsh, MD
• "Primary care doctors' level of adopting [GLP-1 medications] depends on comfort level... but I think the more that we can explain the cross-the-field benefits... I think we can get more people on board." – Joseph Winchell, MD