Kelsey-Seybold Clinic Earns National Recognition for Efforts Aimed at Improving Cholesterol Control

 

Houston, TX — Kelsey-Seybold Clinic has received the American Heart Association’s Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol™ Gold award in recognition of their commitment to reducing the risk of heart disease and stroke through improved cholesterol management.

High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for heart disease, heart attack and stroke, estimated to cause nearly 2.6 million deaths annually. Yet, a survey from the American Heart Association shows that nearly two-thirds of people who have high cholesterol don’t think they’re at high risk for a heart attack or stroke

To help people better understand their risk and learn to manage their cholesterol, the Association launched its Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol. initiative in 2017. Since then, more than 900 health centers and systems have registered to participate.

“Kelsey-Seybold understands the value of working with patients to teach them about controllable risk factors, healthier habits, and the changes they can make to help improve their cholesterol. This partnership with patients is central to our accountable care model,” said Patrick Carter, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.A.F.P., medical director of care coordination and quality improvement and chief of Family Medicine. “We are delighted to receive this recognition from the American Heart Association and to be awarded the Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol Gold Award. Our providers work hard every day to make each moment a ‘gold’ moment with patients.”

To help practices achieve their goals, the Association provides all participants with a dedicated website featuring a free, evidence-based improvement program that includes tools and resources to help clinicians improve cholesterol control rates. To facilitate easy and seamless adoption of the program, the Association will provide access to trained support specialists within their community who can help identify specific program components to incorporate into clinical practice.

“High cholesterol is one of the major controllable risk factors for heart disease, yet still is undertreated. This program helps physician practices put a spotlight on this important risk factor and help patients achieve and maintain control of it,” said James Langabeer, Ph.D., Chair of the American Heart Association’s Ambulatory Quality Improvement Advisory Group and Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Texas Health Science Center, McGovern Medical School. “We are so glad to see physician practices join this initiative to prioritize cholesterol control and ultimately improve heart health across the nation.”

Learn more at Check. Change. Control. Cholesterol.