Understanding Hyperlipidemia: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

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Hyperlipidemia

by Alike Medical Team ∙ Updated on June 13, 2023

Additional names

This group contains additional names: - High cholesterol - Hyperchylomicronemia - Lipodystrophy - Pure Hyperglyceridemia - Hypertriglyceridemia - Mixed Hyperlipidemia

General

Lipids mean fat. Hyperlipidemia is a state where your blood cholesterol and triglyceride, two types of fats in your body, are too high. *Triglyceride* are made when you eat more sugar and carbs than your body needs for energy. This is your body’s way of storing excess calories. Blood *cholesterol* is made by your liver. It is essential for good health; the problem begins when you have too much of it. There are two main kinds of cholesterol: *LDL*- the bad cholesterol makes up most of your body’s cholesterol. the LDL cholesterol build up in you blood vessels and raises your risk for heart disease and stroke. *HDL*- good cholesterol, absorbs cholesterol and carries it back to the liver. Hyperlipidemia can be caused by different diseases, but it is usually caused by a combination of genetics and lifestyle. *What number should you aim for?* Different people should aim for different numbers, ask your doctor what your goal is. Generally, your triglyceride levels should be below 150 mg/dL. Your total cholesterol should be below 200, your LDL below 130 or lower if you have a high risk for heart attack, and your HDL above 60.

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Signs & symptoms

Hyperlipidemia usually appears without any symptoms. The cholesterol tends to accumulate in the blood vessel and clog them- this is called atherosclerosis. This condition may eventually cause many problems including heart attack, stroke, kidney disease and aortic disease.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis is made through a *blood tests* after a fast of 14-12 hours.

Treatment

Your doctor may recommend: - *lifestyle changes*- avoiding foods that have a lot of saturated fat like red meet and fried food, losing weight, and getting regular physical activity. - *cholesterol-lowering medicine* such as statins.

Note

☝ We provide information on prescription and over-the-counter medicines, diagnosis, procedures and lab tests. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

National Institutes of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ MedlinePluse ∙ Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

☝ All information has been reviewed by certified physicians from Alike

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