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71 million Americans have high cholesterol, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
Another 25 million have elevated cholesterol levels, which significantly increases their risk of heart disease — the leading cause of death in the U.S.
While cholesterol levels are on the rise, many patients aren’t aware of their numbers (less than 200 mg/DL is ideal for adults) or the steps they can take to manage those numbers effectively. Enter the role of the independent pharmacist.
As a pharmacist, you are in a unique position to help patients understand — and manage — their cholesterol.
Working alongside other healthcare providers, you can provide patient education, support lifestyle changes, and ensure that patients adhere to medication regimens to keep their cholesterol at healthy levels.
In the process, you can reduce the risk of cardiovascular diseases in patients and improve overall health outcomes.
Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to manage cholesterol levels in your pharmacy:
Knowledge is power, and in the case of helping patients manage their cholesterol, spreading knowledge is the best first step.
Make sure your patients know the facts about cholesterol — whether it’s in the form of consultations, fact sheets, or posts on your social media accounts. Remember:
In addition, make sure you emphasize that high cholesterol increases the risk of heart disease and stroke.
More importantly, though, highlight the fact that high cholesterol is preventable, treatable, and manageable — then show patients how to manage cholesterol levels.
For patients that are experiencing high cholesterol, those levels can be managed with simple lifestyle fixes.
As a pharmacist, you can support those changes — whether it’s via patient consultations or a full-fledged cholesterol management program.
For starters, you can give recommendations for adopting a heart-healthy diet: reducing saturated fats, cutting trans fats, increasing foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids, increasing soluble fiber, and adding whey protein.
On this last note, studies show that whey protein given as a supplement lower both LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol as well as blood pressure.
Second, you can encourage patients to take up moderate physical activity (at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week), which can raise HDL cholesterol.
And, finally, encourage patients to reduce other risk factors by quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake.
Emphasize the fact that these lifestyle changes can help patients reduce their cholesterol naturally and minimize the need for medication.
But when lifestyle changes aren't enough to manage high cholesterol, let patients know that cholesterol-lowering medications, particularly statins, can be helpful.
Explain that statins reduce the amount of cholesterol made by the liver, lowering LDL ("bad") cholesterol levels and, in some cases, even raising HDL ("good") cholesterol.
Remind patients that other medications, like cholesterol absorption inhibitors, bile acid sequestrants, PCSK9 inhibitors, and ACLY inhibitors, are also options for those who don’t respond well to statins.
Make sure you guide patients through these medications, educating them about benefits, risks, and potential side effects they may experience.
Schedule regular patient consultations and follow-up appointments so you can adjust, if needed.
This line of communication can also ensure that patients stay adherent — so it’s a win-win.
As you work with patients on how to manage cholesterol, rely on a technology partner to help you do it.
PioneerRx’s pharmacy software offers several features that help you record, monitor, and intervene in patients’ cholesterol journeys:
Patient Labs allow you to document patients’ cholesterol numbers — along with complete lab panels — in their patient profiles.
Patient Risk Scores help you identify patients with elevated cholesterol levels and form the proper intervention plans.
Integrated eCare Plans allow you to document those interventions and send them to third-party organizations, like CPESN, with ease.
And, finally, PDC Scores allow you to monitor patients’ adherence to their cholesterol medications — ensuring that they stick to their treatment plans.
Learn how PioneerRx can improve your patient outcomes, or schedule a demo here.
Don’t keep cholesterol management in the four walls of your pharmacy.
Instead, leverage your position as a pharmacist, engage with your community, and educate them about cholesterol.
Consider any of the following outreach program ideas:
High cholesterol is one of the most pressing issues facing public health — and, as a pharmacist, you have an opportunity to intervene.
By leveraging your expertise with the latest technology, you can guide patients through lifestyle changes, offer education on medications, and collaborate with other healthcare professionals on how to manage cholesterol.
In the process, you can improve patient outcomes and make a difference in the lives of your community.
What strategy will you test out in your pharmacy?
