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Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) is an excess of lipids or fats in your blood. high cholesterol increases your risk of heart attack and stroke. Adding exercise and healthy foods can lower your cholesterol. Some individuals need medication as well. Controlling your cholesterol is a long-term measure.

By: Admin
June 15th 2024

What is hyperlipidemia?

Hyperlipidemia, also known as dyslipidemia or high cholesterol, means you have too many lipids (fats) in your blood. Your liver produces cholesterol to help you digest food and create things like hormones. But you also eat cholesterol in foods from meat and dairy `products. the liver can make all the cholesterol you need, the cholesterol in foods you eat is extra.

Too much cholesterol is not healthy because it can create roadblocks in the artery highways where blood travels around the body. This harms the organs that do not receive enough blood from the arteries.

Bad cholesterol (LDL) is the most dangerous type because it causes hardened cholesterol deposits (plaque) to collect inside of your blood vessels. This makes it harder for your blood to get through, which puts you at risk for a stroke or heart attack. The plaque itself can be irritated or inflamed, which can cause a clot to form around it. This can cause a stroke or heart attack depending on where the blockage is.

  • Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) is known as bad cholesterol because it can clog your arteries like a large truck that broke down and blocked a traffic lane. (Borderline high number: 130 mg/dL to 159 mg/dL. High: 160 mg/dL to 189 mg/dL.)
  • Very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) is also called bad because it carries triglycerides that add to artery plaque. This is another type of traffic blocker.
  • High-density lipoprotein (HDL) is known as good cholesterol because it brings cholesterol to your liver, and the liver gets rid of it. This is like a tow truck that removes broken-down vehicles from the traffic lanes so vehicles can move. In this case, it clears the way for your blood to get through your blood vessels. For your HDL, you don’t want to have a number lower than 40 mg/dL.

How common is hyperlipidemia?

Hyperlipidemia is common. Ninety-three million American adults (age 20 and older) have a total cholesterol count above the recommended limit of 200 mg/dL.

How serious is high cholesterol?

Hyperlipidemia is a serious condition if it is not managed. cholesterol that is not treated leads to plaque accumulating inside the vessels. This can lead to a heart attack or stroke The blockage deprives your brain and heart of the nutrients and oxygen needed for normal function.

How does hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) affect my body?

Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) that is not treated can allow plaque to collect inside of your body’s blood vessels (atherosclerosis). This can bring on hyperlipidemia complications that include:

Signs and Symptoms

How do you feel if your cholesterol is high?

Early on, you feel normal when you have high cholesterol. However, after a while, plaque buildup (made of cholesterol and fats) can slow down or stop blood flow to your heart or brain. The symptoms of coronary artery disease can include chest pain with exertion, jaw pain, and shortness of breath.

When a plaque of cholesterol ruptures and a clot covers it, it closes off an entire artery. This is a heart attack, and the symptoms include severe chest pain, flushing, nausea, and difficulty breathing. This is a medical emergency.

Are there any warning signs of high cholesterol?

Most individuals do not have symptoms of high cholesterol People who have a genetic problem with cholesterol clearance that causes very high cholesterol levels may get xanthomas (waxy, fatty plaques on their skin) or corneal arcus (cholesterol rings around the iris of their eye).

What causes cholesterol to get high?

hyperlipidemia causes include:

  • Smoking.
  • Drinking too much of alcohol.
  • Eating foods that have a lot of saturated fats or trans fats.
  • Sitting too much instead of being active.
  • Being stressed.
  • Inheriting genes that make your cholesterol levels unhealthy.

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Medical issues can also affect how much cholesterol you have. These include:

What are the risk factors for hyperlipidemia?

Several things can put you at a higher risk of hyperlipidemia, including:

  • family history of high cholesterol.
  • obesity.
  • Not eating a nutritious diet.
  • Too much alcohol.
  • diabetes.
  • Smoking.

Management and Treatment of hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)

Some people can just change their lifestyles to improve their cholesterol numbers. For other people, that’s not enough and they need medication.

Things you can do include:

  • Exercising.
  • Stopping smoking.
  • Sleeping at least seven hours each night.
  • Keeping stress level well managed.
  • Eating healthier foods.
  • Limiting how much alcohol you drink.
  • Losing a few pounds to reach a healthy weight.

Prevention: How to reduce my risk of hyperlipidemia?

Children and young adults can get checked every five years.

Once you reach middle age, you should have your cholesterol checked every year or two.

How can I prevent hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)?

Changes you make in your life can keep you from getting hyperlipidemia. Things you can do include:

  • Stop smoking.
  • Stay active instead of sitting too much.
  • Keep your stress level down.
  • Get the right amount of sleep.
  • Eat healthy foods.
  • Cut back on eating fatty meats.
  • Don’t buy snacks that have “trans-fat” on the label.
  • Stay at a healthy weight.

How long will you have hyperlipidemia?

Hyperlipidemia is a condition you will need to manage for the rest of your life.

Although high cholesterol increases the risk of heart attacks and stroke, you can protect yourself by living a healthier lifestyle.

How do I take care of myself with hyperlipidemia?

Here are things you can do yourself:

  • Exercise.
  • Stop smoking.
  • Sleep at least seven hours each night.
  • Manage your stress level.
  • Eat healthier foods.
  • Limit how much alcohol you drink.
  • Stay at a healthy weight.

When should I see my healthcare provider?

You should see your provider if you have:

When should I go to the ER?

Call 911 if you think you are having a heart attack or stroke.

Hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol, can let plaque accumulate inside the blood vessels and put you at risk of a heart attack or stroke. The good news is that you have the power to reduce your risk of heart attack and stroke. Exercising more and eating healthier are just two of the ways you can improve your cholesterol numbers.

References

Hyperlipidemia (High Cholesterol): Levels, Causes, Symptoms & Diagnosis. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/21656-hyperlipidemia