Robert Block MD, MPH

Dr. Robert Block specializes in the care of patients with hyperlipidemia. His expertise includes the diagnosis and treatment of patients with complex lipid disorders and familial cholesterol diseases. He is board certified in Internal Medicine, and also in Clinical Lipidology.

The primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease through public health measures and medical practice redesign as well as the investigation of pathophysiologic mechanisms by which disease develops. His sub-focus is the role of fatty acids and cardiovascular disease. Given his years of clinical practice, Dr. Block's research interests are quite broad. His research, however, focuses on the investigation of how nutrition affects the risk of cardiovascular disease. This interest is most intense regarding the role of fatty acids and their metabolites on heart disease risk, particularly in those with coronary artery disease. He has completed a recent study on the relationship between blood levels of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and the risk of recurrent coronary artery events. He is interested in understanding the role of biomarkers, such as fatty acids, for clinical use as well as in helping to understand heart disease pathophysiology. He has published regarding the clinical use of measuring lipoprotein(a) in predicting the risk of cardiovascular disease in different populations and regarding the need for an integrated approach to cardiovascular disease modification. His clinical, teaching and research expertise merge to generate novel hypotheses, many of which involve patient perspectives and goals. With his students, he focuses on creating direct patient and public health experiences by having them shadow patient visits, participate in meetings, and collaborate on his research projects. His career interests translate into his daily life as well, as he often runs or bikes to work in order to advance the adoption of a healthy, preventive lifestyle.