If you’ve recently been told you have high cholesterol, heart palpitations, or other cardiovascular concerns, you might be wondering:
“Should I see a cardiologist? A lipid specialist? Both?”
You’re not alone. Many patients across Tampa and St. Petersburg are confused about which specialist to see—and when.
At Florida Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, we work closely with both cardiologists and lipid specialists to give our patients the best possible care. This guide breaks it all down for you—who these experts are, what they do, and when you should make that first appointment.
Understanding the Basics: Heart Health and Cholesterol
Your heart and blood vessels work 24/7 to keep your body alive. But over time, poor lifestyle habits, genetics, or medical conditions can damage them. Two major contributors?
- Heart disease (such as blocked arteries or irregular heartbeat)
- Lipid disorders (like high cholesterol or high triglycerides)
While these conditions are often connected, they each require different specialties for proper treatment.
What Does a Cardiologist Do?
A cardiologist is a doctor who specializes in diagnosing and treating diseases of the heart and blood vessels. That includes:
- Coronary artery disease (clogged arteries)
- Heart failure
- Irregular heartbeat (arrhythmias)
- High blood pressure
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
- Preventive heart care for at-risk patients
Tools They Use
Cardiologists rely on various tests, such as:
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Echocardiogram
- Stress tests
- Heart catheterization
- Coronary calcium scans
These help them assess the structure and function of your heart—and decide the best course of action.
What Is a Lipid Specialist?
A lipid specialist, often an endocrinologist or a preventive cardiologist with additional training, focuses on lipid disorders like:
- High LDL (bad cholesterol)
- Low HDL (good cholesterol)
- High triglycerides
- Familial hypercholesterolemia (inherited cholesterol issues)
- Lipoprotein(a) elevation
- Complex or treatment-resistant dyslipidemias
While a general doctor might prescribe a statin and move on, lipid specialists dig deeper. They use advanced testing and tailored treatment plans to get your cholesterol under control—especially when standard medications don’t work.
When to See a Cardiologist
You should consider seeing a cardiologist if you:
- Have chest pain, shortness of breath, or fatigue on exertion
- Experience palpitations or irregular heartbeats
- Have a family history of heart disease or sudden cardiac death
- Were diagnosed with high blood pressure or diabetes
- Have a history of smoking or obesity
- Are over 40 and have risk factors for heart disease
If your symptoms are urgent, like sudden chest pain or fainting, head to the ER—don’t wait.
When to See a Lipid Specialist
You should consider seeing a lipid specialist if you:
- Have high cholesterol that doesn’t improve with diet or medication
- Have very high triglycerides (especially over 500 mg/dL)
- Have a personal or family history of early heart disease
- Suspect or know you have a genetic cholesterol disorder like familial hypercholesterolemia (FH)
- Are already on cholesterol meds but still not at goal
- Have side effects from cholesterol medications like statins
At Florida Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, we specialize in complex cholesterol management. We use advanced lipid panels, genetic testing, and personalized strategies to get your lipids where they need to be.
Why It Often Takes a Team
Here’s the truth: You don’t have to choose one or the other. In many cases, the best results come from collaboration between a cardiologist and a lipid specialist—plus your primary care provider.
Real-Life Scenario: Meet Maria
Maria, a 52-year-old from St. Petersburg, came to us with:
- LDL cholesterol over 190 mg/dL
- High blood pressure
- Her father had a heart attack at age 54
We worked with her cardiologist to:
✅ Run genetic tests that revealed familial hypercholesterolemia
✅ Prescribe a PCSK9 inhibitor (an advanced cholesterol-lowering injection)
✅ Monitor her heart with a stress test and ECG
✅ Guide her on a heart-healthy, Mediterranean-style eating plan
Six months later, her LDL dropped by 65%, and she feels healthier and more in control.
What to Expect from Your First Appointment
Whether you’re seeing a cardiologist or lipid specialist, here’s what you can expect:
They Will:
- Ask about your family and personal medical history
- Review your current medications and lifestyle habits
- Order lab work or heart-related tests
- Create a treatment plan customized to your biology and your goals
You Should Bring:
- A list of symptoms or concerns
- Previous lab results, if available
- A list of current medications and supplements
- A notepad or phone to take notes
And don’t hesitate to ask questions. This is your health—and your team is here to help.
How Florida Endocrinology and Diabetes Center Helps
As endocrinology experts, we play a key role in preventing and managing cardiovascular disease—especially in patients with diabetes, thyroid disorders, and hormone-related lipid imbalances.
Here’s what we offer:
✅ Advanced Cholesterol Testing
Beyond basic panels—we look at LDL particle size, apolipoproteins, Lp(a), and more.
✅ Genetic Screening
We test for inherited lipid conditions like familial hypercholesterolemia and PCSK9 mutations.
✅ Nutrition and Lifestyle Counseling
Our team helps you find realistic, sustainable changes that work for your lifestyle.
✅ Medication Management
We prescribe and monitor both common and advanced lipid-lowering therapies, like:
- Statins
- Ezetimibe
- PCSK9 inhibitors
- Bempedoic acid
- Fibrates for high triglycerides
✅ Referral Network
We work hand-in-hand with top cardiologists in Tampa and St. Pete to ensure you get seamless, well-rounded care.
Where to Find Expert Care in Tampa & St. Pete
While Florida Endocrinology and Diabetes Center is your go-to for lipid disorders, we also coordinate with local cardiologists for full-spectrum care.
Some of the leading heart care centers in the region include:
- Tampa General Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute
- BayCare Medical Group Cardiology (multiple locations)
- USF Health Cardiology
- Johns Hopkins All Children’s Heart Institute (for pediatric care)
- Cardiovascular Solutions Institute (St. Petersburg)
We’re happy to provide referrals tailored to your specific condition and insurance plan.
FAQs from Our Patients
Q: Can an endocrinologist treat high cholesterol?
A: Absolutely. Endocrinologists specialize in metabolism and hormone-driven diseases—cholesterol included. We’re often the ones managing lipid issues when lifestyle and standard meds don’t work.
Q: Should I be on statins if my cholesterol is only “borderline”?
A: Not always. It depends on your overall risk—age, blood pressure, smoking history, diabetes, and family history all matter. We use calculators and guidelines to make personalized recommendations.
Q: Can diet and exercise really lower cholesterol without medication?
A: For some people, yes. For others—especially those with genetic conditions—lifestyle helps, but medication is needed too.
Q: How often should I get my cholesterol checked?
A: Most adults should have a fasting lipid panel every 4–6 years, or more often if they have risk factors. If you’re on treatment, we’ll likely check every 3–6 months.
Take Control of Your Heart Health Today
If you’re worried about cholesterol, heart disease, or just want to know your risks—you don’t have to figure it out alone.
At Florida Endocrinology and Diabetes Center, we’re proud to be a trusted resource for lipid care and prevention in the Tampa Bay region. We partner with top cardiologists to ensure our patients have access to comprehensive, cutting-edge care.
📞 Call today to book your cholesterol and cardiovascular risk evaluation
📍 Convenient locations serving Tampa, St. Petersburg, Pinellas Park, and beyond
🌐 Visit https://tampabayendocrine.com/