Providence Heart Institute
Lipid Clinic
16001 W. Nine Mile Road
Southfield, MI 48075
248-849-2000

The Providence Heart Institute Lipid Clinic helps patients manage their cholesterol to reduce the risk of heart disease. It offers expert care ideal for special needs patients who are newly diagnosed with elevated blood lipids or for those who require specialized treatment due to complicating factors.

About Lipids

Lipids is the scientific name for fatty substances. Cholesterol and triglycerides are two kinds of lipids carried through the blood. In order for cholesterol to move easily throughout the body, it is packaged with a protein. These protein packages are called lipoproteins. Two different kinds of lipoproteins -- low density and high density -- are used to assess your risk of heart disease.

Low-Density Lipoproteins

Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) contain most of the cholesterol in the blood. They carry cholesterol to body tissues, including the coronary arteries. The cholesterol found in LDL is considered most responsible for the formation of plaque, a fatty substance that builds up on the walls of the arteries. The plaque formation eventually can lead to a heart attack or hardening of the arteries. This is why the cholesterol in these particles is often called "bad" cholesterol. High levels of LDL increase the risk of heart disease.

High-Density Lipoproteins

High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) carry the same form of cholesterol as LDLs. However, the cholesterol in HDLs is not used to form plaques. HDL particles actually pick up cholesterol from other tissues in the body and are believed to be responsible for removing excess cholesterol from your blood. The cholesterol in these packages is called "good" cholesterol, because higher levels of HDL protect against heart disease.

Triglycerides

Triglyceride is another type of fat. Fat is an important source of energy and provides essential nutrients for health. Some of the triglycerides in your body come from the fat you eat. Your body also makes triglycerides when you consume more calories than you need from carbohydrates, proteins, and alcohol. The same lipoproteins that transport cholesterol also move triglycerides to cells where they are needed. High triglycerides are associated with an increased risk for heart disease, especially when HDL levels are low.

Patients who can benefit from the Lipid Clinic

• Those who have complex abnormal lipid levels (e.g. familial combined hypercholesterolemia, familial hypertriglyceridemia of triglyerides greater than 1000)
• Patients who require complex drug therapy therapy (for example, where two or more liver metabolized drugs are needed)
• Pediatric patients
• Patients with additional medical issues, such as HIV or diabetes
• Patients whose current therapy to manage high cholesterol is not effective.
• Patients with significant family history of premature coronary artery disease (heart disease at a young age)
• Patients with unexplained premature coronary artery disease.

Our staff

Khalid Zakariya, MD is the physician specialist at the Lipid Clinic. Dr. Zakariya is a board-certified internist. He is also certified by the American Board of Clinical Lipidology. He completed medical school at Al-Mustanseriya University, Baghdad-Iraq. Dr. Zakariya completed his Internal Medicine residency at Providence Hospital and joined the teaching faculty of the Department of Medicine in 2004.

To schedule an appointment

To make an appointment or for more information, call 248-849-2000. No referral is necessary. If you have a referring physician, the Lipid Clinic physician will work with your doctor to coordinate your care.