Preventive Cardiology

Since 2000, Dr. Baum and PCI have made every effort to learn and utilize scientifically-sound approaches in order to prevent cardiovascular events, the leading cause of death in the Western world. This process has exposed the doctor to the gamut of medical disciplines. Preventive Cardiology Inc. utilizes a time-honored practice model to deliver current and cutting-edge clinical care. Initial office consultations take at least one hour and every follow-up visit with the doctor requires 30 minutes. These extended visits are essential in order to accomplish our goal: The identification and management of cardiovascular risks. As this is a cardiology practice, echocardiograms, nuclear stress tests, and carotid ultrasounds are performed on site when necessary. We currently focus on both primary and secondary cardiac prevention. To do this I spend a great deal of time with my patients discussing optimal approaches to diet and exercise and finding ways for them to incorporate healthful lifestyle choices into their diverse lives. I utilize a series of biomarkers (blood and urine tests that correlate with vascular disease and events such as heart attacks and strokes) as well as advanced cholesterol and lipoprotein testing. I also incorporate testing for subclinical vascular disease. By diagnosing carotid artery disease and coronary artery disease in their early stages I have found that with proper therapy, life-altering events such as heart attacks and strokes can often be avoided. As one of a few cardiologists in the nation to become a fellow of the National Lipid Association, I frequently consult on complex lipid disorders. My practice is also one of a handful in the country to perform LDL-Apheresis on high risk patients suffering from Familial Hypercholesterolemia (FH). FH is a genetic disorder occurring in one out of 500 Americans but having a much higher prevalence in populations such as French Canadians, South African Ashkenazi Jews, and Christian Lebanese.