High Cholesterol Clinic

Quick Intro

VEI Clinic Apgujeong provides English-friendly evaluation and treatment for high cholesterol (dyslipidemia) with clear plans you can actually follow.

Who This Clinic Is For

• Routine cholesterol checks or abnormal results from a health screen
• Family history of early heart disease or known high Lp(a)
• Managing high LDL or triglycerides, low HDL, metabolic syndrome, or fatty liver risk
• Follow-up while traveling or living in Seoul, with English summaries and receipts

What We Check (Labs & Measurements)

• Standard lipids: total cholesterol, LDL-C, HDL-C, triglycerides
• Advanced markers (case-by-case): ApoB, Lp(a), non-HDL-C, hs-CRP
• Metabolic screen: fasting glucose, HbA1c, CMP/LFTs, TSH (secondary causes)
• Vitals & body composition: blood pressure, BMI, multi-frequency BIA
• Optional referral for a fatty-liver ultrasound or coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan when appropriate

How We Treat (Stepwise, Evidence-Based)

• Lifestyle first (always part of the plan)
• Practical nutrition targets (Mediterranean-style emphasis, soluble fiber 10–20 g/day, plant sterols as appropriate)
• Protein & resistance training goals, weekly aerobic minutes
• Alcohol and smoking review; sleep & stress anchors
• Medications when indicated
• LDL-lowering: statins, ezetimibe; discussion of PCSK9-class therapies if you are at high risk
• Triglycerides: diet/alcohol changes, omega-3 (EPA) or other Rx options when appropriate
• Follow-up
• Recheck labs at 4–12 weeks after changes, then every 3–12 months depending on risk and stability
• Written English plan with targets (LDL-C or ApoB goal)

Visit Flow (What to Expect)

• Check-in & history → family history, diet/activity snapshot, meds/supplements
• Exam & labs → fasting or non-fasting per plan (we’ll advise)
• Plan → lifestyle roadmap, medication options (benefits/risks), follow-up timing
• Review → English results summary with clear targets and next steps

Fasting vs. Non-Fasting—What to Know

• Non-fasting lipid checks are fine for many people.
• If your triglycerides are high or a result needs confirming, we may ask for an 8–12h fast (water allowed).
• Bring a list of supplements (e.g., niacin, omega-3s) and medications.

Red Flags — Go to an ER or Call 119

• Chest pain/pressure with sweating, nausea, or breathlessness
• Sudden weakness, facial droop, speech changes, or severe headache
• Fainting or severe shortness of breath. These are emergencies, not reasons for a clinic visit.

Pricing & Insurance Notes

• Fees vary by consult length, labs chosen, and any referrals.
• Most visitors pay upfront and submit itemized English receipts to their insurer.
• Ask for a written quote before blood tests and imaging referrals.

What to Bring

• Passport/ID and a Korean phone number (if any)
• Medication & supplement list, prior lab reports or health-check results
• Payment method (card/cash); insurer details if you’ll file a claim