What is Hyperlipidemia?

Hyperlipidemia (also known as high cholesterol) can be defined as several disorders that can result in too much fat (lipids) in the blood. These lipids can enter the walls of the arteries and increase the risk for developing hardening of the arteries, which could cause hyperlipidemia complications such as heart disease or stroke. Hyperlipidemia, can also be a cause of cardiovascular disease so it is important to control it with lifestyle changes and medication.

Baptist Health is known for advanced, superior care for patients with heart conditions and the diagnosis, treatment and management of hyperlipidemia. You will appreciate timely appointments and a professional, friendly atmosphere where we take time to listen to your concerns. At Baptist Health, you have access to the region’s most comprehensive, multidisciplinary team of specialists and innovative therapies, including many available only through specialized clinical trials. In every way, we work to demonstrate the utmost in excellent care to those who trust us with their health.

Signs and Symptoms

Hyperlipidemia itself does not produce symptoms, but may eventually lead to other conditions and symptoms. However, if it results in coronary heart disease (CHD) or atherosclerosis, symptoms in adults can include:

• Chest pain or pressure (angina)
• Blockage of blood vessels in brain and heart
• High blood pressure
• Heart attack
• Stroke

Diagnosis

If hyperlipidemia is suspected, we perform a physical examination and ask questions about symptoms. We then use advanced diagnostic procedures and technology to effectively diagnose, inform treatment and carefully monitor the condition. Common diagnostic procedures can include:

Blood test: Blood tests check the levels of certain fats, cholesterol, sugar and protein in the blood that could indicate heart conditions. Typically, a lipid panel is one blood test done to determine the levels of cholesterol in the body. This can include:

• Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)—Doctors sometimes call this “bad” cholesterol. High levels increase your risk of stroke and heart disease.

• High-density lipoproteins (HDL)—Your doctor might refer to HDL as “good” cholesterol. High levels decrease your risk for stroke and heart problems.
• Triglycerides—These are a form of fat in your blood. Too much fat in your blood can make you more vulnerable to heart disease.
• Total cholesterol—This is the overall, combined amount of LDL and HDL in your blood.

Causes

High cholesterol may be caused by foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fats, including:

• Cheese
• Egg yolks
• Red meat 
• Fried and processed foods
• Ice cream

However, there are other causes that lead to this condition. Preventable causes of hyperlipidemia can include:

• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Steroid use

Risk Factors

Risk factors that can contribute to hyperlipidemia include:

Genetics: Hereditary factors are the most common cause of hyperlipidemia.

Age: The risk of hyperlipidemia increases with age.

Other disorders: Diabetes, kidney disease and hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome and pregnancy may promote hyperlipidemia.

Prevention

While many risk factors cannot be controlled, you can make lifestyle changes to help prevent or reduce your risk of hyperlipidemia by: 

• Practicing good heart health: Eat a diet that is low in saturated and trans fat but high in fiber, eat fish two times a week, exercise several days a week and stop smoking.
• Maintaining a normal weight and body mass index.
• Taking medications as prescribed and follow your physician’s eating and exercise recommendations.
• Increasing physical activity level.
• Stopping smoking.

Prognosis

The prognosis for people with hyperlipidemia depends upon one’s commitment to adhering to a healthy lifestyle. Hyperlipidemia is a life-long condition, but can often be improved by lifestyle changes

Hyperlipidemia Treatment and Recovery

The main treatments for hyperlipidemia are:

Lifestyle Changes

The lifestyle changes needed to treat hyperlipidemia are similar to prevention. Regular aerobic exercise is an important way to fight high cholesterol. Eating a diet low in saturated fats, maintaining a normal weight and not smoking.

Medication

While some people can effectively manage high cholesterol with lifestyle changes, others may require medical intervention. Medication may be prescribed in addition to lifestyle changes, including:

• Statins: These medications can help prevent your liver from producing too much fat.
• Resins: These medications can help prevent cholesterol from being absorbed into the blood.
• Fibrates: These medications can cut down the amount of fat in the blood.
• Protein blockers: These medications can make it easier for your body to remove cholesterol from the blood.

Complications

Complications of hyperlipidemia may include atherosclerosis (hardening or narrowing of the arteries). Hyperlipidemia is directly related to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.

Diagnosis

If hyperlipidemia is suspected, we perform a physical examination and ask questions about symptoms. We then use advanced diagnostic procedures and technology to effectively diagnose, inform treatment and carefully monitor the condition. Common diagnostic procedures can include:

Blood test: Blood tests check the levels of certain fats, cholesterol, sugar and protein in the blood that could indicate heart conditions. Typically, a lipid panel is one blood test done to determine the levels of cholesterol in the body. This can include:

• Low-density lipoproteins (LDL)—Doctors sometimes call this “bad” cholesterol. High levels increase your risk of stroke and heart disease.

• High-density lipoproteins (HDL)—Your doctor might refer to HDL as “good” cholesterol. High levels decrease your risk for stroke and heart problems.
• Triglycerides—These are a form of fat in your blood. Too much fat in your blood can make you more vulnerable to heart disease.
• Total cholesterol—This is the overall, combined amount of LDL and HDL in your blood.

Causes

High cholesterol may be caused by foods that are high in cholesterol, saturated fat, and trans fats, including:

• Cheese
• Egg yolks
• Red meat 
• Fried and processed foods
• Ice cream

However, there are other causes that lead to this condition. Preventable causes of hyperlipidemia can include:

• Smoking
• Being overweight
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Steroid use

Risk Factors

Risk factors that can contribute to hyperlipidemia include:

Genetics: Hereditary factors are the most common cause of hyperlipidemia.

Age: The risk of hyperlipidemia increases with age.

Other disorders: Diabetes, kidney disease and hypothyroidism, polycystic ovary syndrome and pregnancy may promote hyperlipidemia.

Prevention

While many risk factors cannot be controlled, you can make lifestyle changes to help prevent or reduce your risk of hyperlipidemia by: 

• Practicing good heart health: Eat a diet that is low in saturated and trans fat but high in fiber, eat fish two times a week, exercise several days a week and stop smoking.
• Maintaining a normal weight and body mass index.
• Taking medications as prescribed and follow your physician’s eating and exercise recommendations.
• Increasing physical activity level.
• Stopping smoking.

Prognosis

The prognosis for people with hyperlipidemia depends upon one’s commitment to adhering to a healthy lifestyle. Hyperlipidemia is a life-long condition, but can often be improved by lifestyle changes

Hyperlipidemia Treatment and Recovery

The main treatments for hyperlipidemia are:

Lifestyle Changes

The lifestyle changes needed to treat hyperlipidemia are similar to prevention. Regular aerobic exercise is an important way to fight high cholesterol. Eating a diet low in saturated fats, maintaining a normal weight and not smoking.

Medication

While some people can effectively manage high cholesterol with lifestyle changes, others may require medical intervention. Medication may be prescribed in addition to lifestyle changes, including:

• Statins: These medications can help prevent your liver from producing too much fat.
• Resins: These medications can help prevent cholesterol from being absorbed into the blood.
• Fibrates: These medications can cut down the amount of fat in the blood.
• Protein blockers: These medications can make it easier for your body to remove cholesterol from the blood.

Complications

Complications of hyperlipidemia may include atherosclerosis (hardening or narrowing of the arteries). Hyperlipidemia is directly related to high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke.