Hyperlipidemia: What You Need to Know
Hyperlipidemia is a medical condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is also known as high cholesterol or dyslipidemia. But what exactly is hyperlipidemia and why is it harmful? In this article, we will explain the basics of hyperlipidemia, its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.
What is Hyperlipidemia?
Hyperlipidemia means that you have too much fat or lipids in your blood. These lipids include cholesterol and triglycerides, which are essential for many bodily functions, such as building cells, hormones, and energy. However, when you have too much of these lipids, they can accumulate in your blood vessels and form fatty deposits called plaque. This can narrow your arteries and reduce blood flow to your organs, such as your heart and brain. This can increase your risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as heart attack and stroke.
There are different types of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood, and they are carried by proteins called lipoproteins. The main types of lipoproteins are:
- Low-density lipoprotein (LDL): This is the "bad" cholesterol that contributes to plaque formation and artery narrowing. The higher your LDL level, the higher your risk of cardiovascular disease.
- High-density lipoprotein (HDL): This is the "good" cholesterol that helps remove excess cholesterol from your blood and take it back to your liver for disposal. The higher your HDL level, the lower your risk of cardiovascular disease.
- Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL): This carries triglycerides, which are another type of fat that can also add to plaque formation and artery narrowing.
Your lipid profile is a blood test that measures the levels of these lipoproteins in your blood. A normal lipid profile should have:
- Total cholesterol: Less than 200 mg/dL
- LDL cholesterol: Less than 100 mg/dL
- HDL cholesterol: More than 40 mg/dL for men and more than 50 mg/dL for women
- Triglycerides: Less than 150 mg/dL
If your lipid profile shows higher levels than these, you may have hyperlipidemia.
What causes Hyperlipidemia?
Hyperlipidemia can be caused by both genetic and lifestyle factors. Some people inherit a condition that makes their body produce too much cholesterol or triglycerides or prevents their body from removing them efficiently. This is called familial hyperlipidemia, and it can affect children and adults.
However, most cases of hyperlipidemia are caused by unhealthy lifestyle choices, such as:
- Eating a diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol and calories
- Being physically inactive
- Being overweight or obese
- Smoking
- Drinking too much alcohol
- Having other medical conditions, such as diabetes, hypothyroidism or kidney disease
- Taking certain medications, such as steroids, oral contraceptives or beta-blockers
What are the symptoms of Hyperlipidemia?
Hyperlipidemia does not cause any symptoms by itself. However, over time, it can damage your arteries and organs without you noticing. That is why it is important to get regular blood tests to check your lipid levels and prevent complications.
Some signs that you may have complications from hyperlipidemia include:
- Chest pain or angina
- Shortness of breath
- Dizziness or fainting
- Numbness or weakness in your arms or legs
- Trouble speaking or understanding speech
- Vision problems
If you experience any of these signs, seek medical attention immediately.
How is Hyperlipidemia diagnosed?
Hyperlipidemia is diagnosed by a blood test called a lipid profile. This test measures the levels of total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides in your blood. You may need to fast for 9 to 12 hours before the test to get accurate results.
Your doctor will interpret your lipid profile based on your age, gender, family history, and other risk factors for cardiovascular disease. They will also consider other factors, such as inflammation markers, blood pressure, and blood sugar levels.
How is Hyperlipidemia treated?
The main goal of treating hyperlipidemia is to lower your LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and raise your HDL cholesterol level. This can reduce your risk of plaque formation, artery narrowing, and cardiovascular disease.
The treatment of hyperlipidemia depends on the severity of your condition and your overall health status. It usually involves a combination of lifestyle changes and medication.
- Lifestyle changes include:
- Eating a healthy diet that is low in saturated fat, trans fat, cholesterol, and calories and high in fibre, fruits, vegetables, whole grains, fish, and nuts
- Exercising regularly for at least 150 minutes per week
- Losing weight if you are overweight or obese
- Quitting smoking if you smoke
- Limiting alcohol intake to no more than one drink per day for women and two drinks per day for men
- Managing stress and getting enough sleep
- Medication includes:
- Statins: These are drugs that lower your LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels by blocking an enzyme that makes cholesterol in your liver. They also have anti-inflammatory and plaque-stabilising effects. Examples of statins are atorvastatin, rosuvastatin, simvastatin, and pravastatin.
- Bile acid sequestrants: These are drugs that lower your LDL cholesterol level by binding to bile acids in your intestine and preventing them from being reabsorbed into your blood. Bile acids are made from cholesterol in your liver. Examples of bile acid sequestrants are cholestyramine, colestipol, and colesevelam.
- Fibrates: These are drugs that lower your triglyceride level by increasing the breakdown of fat in your liver and muscles. They also raise your HDL cholesterol level. Examples of fibrates are fenofibrate, gemfibrozil and bezafibrate.
- Niacin: This is a form of vitamin B3 that lowers your LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels and raises your HDL cholesterol level by affecting various enzymes and receptors involved in lipid metabolism. Niacin can cause flushing, itching, headache, and liver problems as side effects.
- Ezetimibe: This is a drug that lowers your LDL cholesterol level by blocking the absorption of cholesterol from your intestine into your blood. It can be used alone or in combination with a statin.
- PCSK9 inhibitors: These are injectable drugs that lower your LDL cholesterol level by blocking a protein that prevents the clearance of LDL cholesterol from your blood. They can be used in addition to statin or other lipid-lowering drugs for people who have very high LDL cholesterol levels or who cannot tolerate statins. Examples of PCSK9 inhibitors are evolocumab and alirocumab.
Your doctor will prescribe the most appropriate medication for you based on your lipid profile, risk factors, medical history, and preferences. You will need to take the medication as directed and have regular blood tests to monitor your lipid levels and liver function.
Conclusion
Hyperlipidemia is a common but serious condition that can increase your risk of cardiovascular disease. By making lifestyle changes and taking medication as prescribed, you can lower your lipid levels and protect your heart and brain health.
Sources
Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol): Levels, Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21656-hyperlipidemia
High cholesterol - Symptoms and causes - Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-cholesterol/symptoms-causes/syc-20350800
Hyperlipidemia: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment - Healthline. Healthline. https://www.healthline.com/health/hyperlipidemia
Prevention and Treatment of High Cholesterol (Hyperlipidemia). American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics/cholesterol/prevention-and-treatment-of-high-cholesterol-hyperlipidemia