Description

High cholesterol (hypercholesterolemia) is a disorder that causes too much cholesterol and fat to build up in the body. When the cholesterol and fat build up inside the arteries in the heart, they can cause heart attacks. As a result, people with this disorder can have heart attacks at a very young age – sometimes even as children.

The most serious symptom of high cholesterol is a heart attack. High cholesterol can also cause firm, fatty deposits to form under the skin called “xanthomas.” They can form on different parts of the body, such as at the heel of the foot, around the knee or elbow, and around the eyes.

Routine blood tests to measure cholesterol can show whether a person’s cholesterol levels are unusually high. If so, the MedeSure physician or Nurse Advisor can look further for a possible cause and can then find out if high cholesterol runs in the family, familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH).

High cholesterol is usually treated with medicines called statins, which lower cholesterol. Some people also get other medicines to lower cholesterol. Plus, people with the most severe forms of FH need other special treatments.

If you have high cholesterol, it might help to avoid or limit saturated fats. These are found in foods like:

• Red meat
• Butter
• Fried foods
• Cheese
• Baked goods, such as cookies, cakes, or brownies

Other things that might help lower cholesterol include:

• Eating more soluble fibre – Soluble fibre is found in fruits, oats, barley, beans, and peas.
• A vegetarian or vegan diet – A vegetarian diet contains no meat. A vegan diet contains no animal products at all, including meat, eggs, or milk.
• Replacing meat with soy sometimes – Soy-based products include tofu and tempeh.

In general, you can improve your health by eating lots of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. You can also cut back on carbohydrates, sweets, and processed foods.

How the Cholesterol A&M Package works

The objective of MedeSure Cholesterol A&M Package is to lower cholesterol levels in the blood to normal levels or as low a level as possible within 1 year, using a combination of dietary changes and medications. This requires scheduled follow up visits to perform blood tests to check the cholesterol level and for any evidence of adverse effects caused by the medications. The diagnostic tests and disease management protocols are the most current and state-of-the-art available, utilizing an electronic medical records system to which the MedeSure member has secure online access called a Patient Portal.

The initial encounter with the MedeSure physician will involve a complete medical history and physical examination utilizing protocols that ensure a complete evaluation, and an initial assessment is provided to the member. Written referrals for lab tests in the package will be provided, as well as for any other condition the physician may consider important. The reason for each referral will be discussed individually. A medical management plan for high cholesterol will be developed by the physician, and may include medications from the MedeSure Medication Formulary, which are the most efficacious and cost-effective medications available.

The member will be contacted by the MedeSure Nurse Advisor for feedback on the initial physician encounter, and after each subsequent office visit, to discuss the medication(s), including dosing, possible side effects, drug interactions, provide additional information, answer questions, arrange appointments for each diagnostic test/facility and provide specific preparation instructions for each test or procedure when necessary. The member may also call the Nurse Advisor at any time with questions or concerns. The results of laboratory tests, the effectiveness and side effects of each medication, and any other medical concern will be assessed and discussed by the physician on each office visit, and changes and adjustments in the treatment plan will be made accordingly. Each new recommendation will be assessed for effectiveness on the subsequent office visit. Follow up office visits will be scheduled within 2 – 3 months but may be sooner as circumstances dictate.

After 1 year upon completion of the package, a Continuing Care Document will be provided which will include all the medical documentation accumulated over the period. and recommendations for continuing medical care. The member may continue their medical care with the MedeSure physician, or the Continuing Care Document may be provided to any medical provider for continuing medical care.

Product Description

• Initial physical examination
• Initial laboratory evaluation – CBC, Chem Pac, lipid panel
• 4 additional brief Doctor’s visits
• Liver function tests and lipid panel with each Doctor’s visit
• 12 monthly supplies of a cholesterol lowering agent from the MedeSure Medication Formulary. (Price not included in Package price).

The Cholesterol A&M Package provides an initial physical examination which serves to establish general physical health and the condition of the liver.  An initial laboratory evaluation – CBC, Chem Pac, lipid panel – is also obtained to identify abnormalities of the blood cells, blood chemistry, blood glucose, kidney function, liver function, and to establish the baseline cholesterol level. Additional tests, not covered by this package, may be recommended by your Medesure Participating Physician to further evaluate abnormalities identified on the physical examination or from the medical history.

Follow up office visits are brief visits for a status assessment for evaluation of medication side effects or adverse reactions, brief physical examination, medication dosage adjustments, additions or discontinuations, review and discussion of laboratory data, and to ensure compliance with medications.

Medications are prescribed from the Medesure Medication Formulary and are dispensed from Participating Pharmacies. Medications will be supplied monthly, at the beginning of each month. The choice of medications is the decision of the doctor and patient.