Cardiology · Naas, Co. Kildare
Preventive Cardiology & Lipid Management
Comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment, lipid management, familial hypercholesterolaemia and personalised prevention strategies — before a cardiac event occurs.
Cardiology · Naas, Co. Kildare
Comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment, lipid management, familial hypercholesterolaemia and personalised prevention strategies — before a cardiac event occurs.
Overview
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of premature death in Ireland and across Europe, yet the majority of events are preventable. Preventive cardiology focuses on identifying individuals at elevated risk, modifying that risk through lifestyle change and pharmacological therapy, and monitoring progress over time.
A preventive cardiology assessment begins with a comprehensive evaluation of all modifiable cardiovascular risk factors — blood pressure, lipids, glucose, smoking, body composition and family history — and applies validated risk prediction tools to estimate absolute cardiovascular risk. This risk estimate then drives the intensity of intervention.
Prevention is relevant at two distinct stages. Primary prevention aims to reduce risk in individuals who have not yet had a cardiovascular event. Secondary prevention — often more intensive — aims to prevent recurrent events in those who have already experienced a heart attack, stroke or other atherosclerotic disease. Dr Kalyar has expertise in both contexts.
This page is for educational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment. In a medical emergency, call 999 or 112.
Who should consider a preventive cardiology assessment? Individuals with a strong family history of premature heart disease, those with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, patients with known high cholesterol that is difficult to control, and anyone who has had a cardiovascular event and wishes to minimise recurrence risk.
Lipid Management
Elevated LDL cholesterol is the single most important modifiable risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The relationship between LDL and cardiovascular risk is continuous, causal and lifelong — lower is better, and the benefit of reduction applies across the entire risk spectrum. LDL targets are set according to individual cardiovascular risk, with more aggressive targets for those at highest risk.
FH is a common inherited condition causing very high LDL cholesterol from birth. It is significantly underdiagnosed. Untreated FH carries a greatly elevated risk of premature coronary artery disease. Diagnosis involves Dutch Lipid Clinic criteria, and early treatment with high-intensity statin therapy (and often additional agents) is essential.
High-intensity statins are the cornerstone of LDL-lowering therapy and have one of the strongest evidence bases in cardiovascular medicine. They reduce LDL by 40–55% and significantly lower the risk of heart attacks, stroke and cardiovascular death across a broad population.
Ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors and bempedoic acid are used where statin therapy alone is insufficient or not tolerated. Combination therapy can achieve LDL reductions far beyond what statins alone can provide, and is particularly important in high-risk patients.
Metabolic syndrome — the combination of central obesity, hypertension, elevated triglycerides, low HDL and impaired fasting glucose — represents a cluster of risk factors that substantially increases cardiovascular and diabetes risk. Identifying and addressing all components simultaneously is central to effective prevention.
Risk Assessment & Lifestyle
Validated risk prediction models provide an objective framework for decision-making in primary prevention. Dr Kalyar uses current European guidelines including the SCORE2 algorithm to calculate your 10-year risk of a first fatal or non-fatal cardiovascular event, and uses this to guide the intensity of preventive intervention.
SCORE2 calculates your estimated 10-year risk of cardiovascular events based on age, sex, smoking status, systolic blood pressure and total-to-HDL cholesterol ratio. It is calibrated to the Irish and European population and guides treatment intensity in primary prevention.
A Mediterranean-style diet — rich in vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, olive oil and nuts — has the strongest evidence base for cardiovascular risk reduction. Reducing saturated fat, trans fats, sodium and ultra-processed food intake is fundamental.
Regular aerobic physical activity improves blood pressure, lipid profile, insulin sensitivity and cardiovascular fitness. Current guidelines recommend at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity activity per week. Dr Kalyar will advise on appropriate exercise for your individual situation.
Central adiposity is a key driver of metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk. Weight reduction — even modest — produces meaningful improvements across multiple risk factors simultaneously. Our clinic also offers specialist obesity medicine and weight management services.
Common Questions
Comprehensive cardiovascular risk assessment and lipid management with Dr Imtiaz Ali Kalyar. Sunday clinics available. Naas, Co. Kildare.
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