AUBURN – Lewiston–Auburn cardiologist Robert J. Weiss, M.D., of Androscoggin Cardiology Associates has completed two recent medical studies examining the treatment of patients with high blood pressure and elevated cholesterol.

The studies, published in Clinical Therapeutics, used patients from Maine to discover inconsistencies in the treatment of high blood pressure and methods for testing blood cholesterol levels. Clinical Therapeutics is an international medical journal devoted to the issue of drug therapy.

In the first study, Weiss surveyed Maine Medicaid data from 1997 to 2000 to determine if physicians prescribe the suggested medications for the treatment of high blood pressure. On a regular basis, the U.S. Joint National Committee, a consortium of clinicians from across the country, creates suggested guidelines for physicians to follow when prescribing medications. The guidelines are to maximize efficiency and effectiveness in controlling the symptoms of hypertension.

Weiss’ study discovered wide inconsistencies among prescribed medications for the Maine Medicaid population. Prescriptions did not follow the committee’s guidelines or any other significant pattern.

“If physicians utilize the medication guidelines en masse, we could realize significant improvement in the treatment of hypertension, and a possible decrease in the advancement of cardiovascular disease,” stated Weiss.

The second study focused on diagnostic methods when examining patients for elevated blood cholesterol levels. National standards suggest testing blood cholesterol levels only when the patient is in a fasting state. However, adding this limitation, some physicians are unable to get patients tested in a timely fashion.

Weiss investigated if testing blood cholesterol in a non-fasting state would yield significantly different results than a fasting state. Using 100 test subjects, the results revealed an insignificant difference in the test data. This would allow physicians to test for high cholesterol while the patient is present, increasing the awareness of hyperlipidemia and the likelihood of timely treatment.

“Like the study on high blood pressure, a sharp increase in awareness could yield major successes in the treatment of high cholesterol and heart disease. Education and innovation are the best defenses against the rise in cardiovascular disease,” noted Weiss.

Androscoggin Cardiology Associates is a local medical practice specializing in general cardiology and the treatment of hypertension, angina, congestive heart failure, elevated cholesterol, and arrhythmias. Located at 2 Great Falls Plaza in Auburn, the practice is also involved in national clinical research.