Atherosclerosis Management Program

Location:
Gill Heart Institute
Linda and Jack Gill Building
First floor, G100
1000 South Limestone
Lexington KY 40536-0084

Directions & map  

Appointments and information:

859-323-0295  

Hours:

Clinic hours vary, so please call for more information.

Atherosclerosis, also called hardening of the arteries, is the leading cause of death among both men and women in the United States today. It is caused by deposits of plaque in an artery that slow or completely block the blood flow and prevent oxygen and nutrients from getting to the heart or to other areas of the body (such as the legs).

In the heart, chest pain often occurs as the blockage progresses. This pain, sometimes called angina, can be a warning signal that the heart muscle is not getting enough blood and oxygen or it could be an actual heart attack in which the artery is blocked by plaque and a blood clot. In the legs, such pain is called claudication.

The Gill Heart Institute offers a complete range of cardiovascular care services and clinical treatment programs, including an Atherosclerosis Management Program (AMP). This program is directed by board-certified cardiologists Thomas F. Whayne Jr., MD, PhD; and John C. Gurley, MD; both are experienced in the latest advances in the evaluation and treatment of coronary and peripheral atherosclerosis. They evaluate patients and develop individualized plans of care to meet each patient's specific needs.

Medical Management

Medical management includes a thorough patient assessment, specific diagnosis, prescription medications when indicated, non-surgical interventional procedures, and/or surgical referrals if needed. Many of the diagnostic evaluations can be performed on an outpatient basis such as ultrasound studies, imaging studies using nuclear medicine techniques and cardiac catheterization.

A wide variety of medications may be used to help manage the care of patients with coronary or peripheral vascular disease. Medications that treat severe angina or heart attacks prevent additional deterioration of the heart muscle if patients have suffered heart damage. Medications that affect the accumulation of artery-blocking plaque may be prescribed to prevent the progression of the disease.

Health Care Team

Every patient has access to a multidisciplinary health care team that can help heart patients and people at risk for heart disease make changes in their lifestyle. The health team will provide patients a complete continuum of care including dietary counseling, physical conditioning instruction, stress coping skills, and smoking cessation counseling.

Appointments

If you would like more information, please call the Atherosclerosis Management Clinic at 859-323-5479. Although a physician referral is not needed by our program, your health care plan may require it. Check with your health care plan before your visit.

Please do not eat or drink anything except water for 12 hours before your first appointment since we may request that you have a blood test. Depending on the outcome of your evaluation and the desire of your referring physician, you may be seen just for an initial consultation or for continuing treatment.