For most people with high cholesterol, lifestyle changes and medications are effective treatments. But when your cholesterol is still high after repeated attempts to lower it, LDL apheresis may help. LDL apheresis is a method of lowering LDL cholesterol—often called “bad cholesterol”—by filtering the blood. Research has shown that LDL apheresis can lower LDL by as much as 80% in one session. This reduction in LDL by LDL apheresis lowers the risk for heart attacks.
This process takes about three hours. Since LDL builds up in the blood again over time, LDL apheresis is usually required two to four times per month.
Medicare and other insurers have certain requirements to cover LDL apheresis
If you have high cholesterol that is resistant to other therapies, talk to your doctor or cardiologist about LDL apheresis. For more information from UR Medicine Cardiac Care, call (585) 341-7700.