Lankenau Heart Group physician practices recognized by American Heart Association for commitment to reducing cholesterol
Bryn Mawr, PA — Lankenau Heart Group physician practices, part of Main Line Health’s Lankenau Heart Institute, have been recognized by the American Heart Association (AHA) for their commitment to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke by managing cholesterol.
Sixteen Lankenau Heart Group practices earned the AHA’s Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™ Participation award in recognition of the Group’s collective efforts.
More than 94 million adults in the United States have elevated cholesterol and only slightly more than half of them are appropriately managing the condition. High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke. If a person has other risk factors, such as smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes, their risk increases even more.
To effectively manage cholesterol among patients, Lankenau Heart Group physicians prescribed statins for adult patients who:
- Had a diagnosis of clinical atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
- Had been previously diagnosed or had a family history of high cholesterol
- Were between ages 40-75 with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and an LDL of 70-189 mg/dL
“Reducing cholesterol – and the risk of heart attack and stroke – is always a primary focus for our Lankenau Heart Group physician practices,” said William Gray, MD, System Chief of Cardiovascular Disease at Main Line Health and Co-Director of Lankenau Heart Institute. “That means following proven, research-based clinical guidelines such as those included in the Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol initiative. At Lankenau Heart Institute, we provide the most advanced surgical and interventional care for complex cardiac issues, but preventing heart disease and stroke is how to avoid surgery in the first place.”
To help people better understand their risk and learn to manage their cholesterol, the American Heart Association launched its Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol initiative in 2017. Participating practices have access to tools and resources that allow clinicians to easily implement guidelines set forth by the American Heart Association to improve cholesterol control.
About Lankenau Heart Institute
Lankenau Heart Institute is Main Line Health’s premier comprehensive cardiovascular program, bringing together cardiologists, cardiovascular surgeons and advanced practice providers across the System’s four acute care hospitals: Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital. Through a coordinated approach, the Institute offers a full continuum of high-quality cardiovascular care — from prevention and diagnostics to clinical trials, advanced treatments and rehabilitation — with a commitment to excellence in outcomes and patient experience.
A nationally recognized leader in innovation and exceptional clinical outcomes, Lankenau Heart Institute is at the forefront of minimally invasive and transcatheter procedures for coronary revascularization, valve repair and replacement, complex aortic surgery and the treatment of advanced heart failure and arrhythmias. Its pioneering work in robotic-assisted and beating-heart techniques and minimally invasive and robotic valve repair continues to shape the future of cardiovascular care. With a robust and influential presence in national clinical trials, its physicians regularly participate in groundbreaking research focused on new therapies, technologies and procedures, primarily through less invasive approaches.
About Main Line Health
Main Line Health® is a not-for-profit health system serving the greater Philadelphia region. The System comprises five hospitals, seven health centers, more than 160 outpatient and physician practice locations, over 14,500 employees and more than 2,200 employed and independent physicians and advanced practice providers.
Founded in 1985, Main Line Health includes four of the region’s most respected acute care hospitals — Lankenau Medical Center, Bryn Mawr Hospital, Paoli Hospital and Riddle Hospital — as well as Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, one of the nation’s premier facilities for rehabilitative medicine. The System also includes Mirmont Treatment Center, which provides treatment and support for substance use disorders; Main Line Health HomeCare & Hospice; Main Line HealthCare, its employed multispecialty physician network; Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, a leading biomedical research organization; and Main Line Health Centers offering primary and specialty care, lab, radiology and other outpatient services in Broomall, Collegeville, Concordville, Devon, Exton, King of Prussia and Newtown Square.
Main Line Health brings together physicians, advanced practice providers, nurses, researchers and other healthcare professionals across a broad network of inpatient, outpatient, home-based and community-based services. Through this integrated approach, the System delivers high-quality, comprehensive care across the continuum — from primary care and preventive services to complex specialty, surgical, trauma, emergency, rehabilitative, behavioral health, home care and hospice services — with a focus on making care accessible in the communities where people live and work.
Main Line Health also collaborates with leading clinical partners to expand access to specialized care. Through its affiliation with Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, pediatric care is provided at select Main Line Health locations, including neonatal intensive care units at its acute care hospitals and Bryn Mawr Hospital’s Inpatient Pediatric Unit and Emergency Department. Jefferson Health neurosurgeons and neurointerventionalists also provide 24/7 specialized care, including neurointervention and lifesaving stroke care.