Hyperlipidemia
Learn about hyperlipidemia, which is often a long-term condition.
WHAT IS HYPERLIPIDEMIA?
Many people have a common condition known as hyperlipidemia. There are a number of disorders that fall underneath hyperlipidemia, but all are characterized by extra fats (lipids) in the blood. Hyperlipidemia is a treatable, but often long-term condition that requires dietary monitoring and regular exercise. Some patients may need to take prescription medication to regulate their cholesterol levels. The goal is to reduce the risk of heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke.
In some patients, plaque buildup can also create the formation of blood clots. If a blood clot dislodges from the arterial wall and gets to the heart it can cause a heart attack. If a blood clot travels to the brain it can cause a stroke.
WHAT CAUSES HYPERLIPIDEMIA?
Some of the causes for hyperlipidemia can be controlled while others cannot be. Cholesterol, triglycerides and other fats can build up on the arterial walls. This narrows arteries, restricts blood flow, and can increase blood pressure.
SYMPTOMS & RISK FACTORS FOR HYPERLIPIDEMIA
Hyperlipidemia is not something you can feel and therefore detection is difficult in early stages before complications develop. If hyperlipidemia contributes to a patient’s atherosclerosis then the symptoms are the same ones that we would identify with atherosclerosis, or a hardening of the arteries.
Symptoms associated with atherosclerosis from hyperlipidemia include:
- Angina and heart attacks
- Symptoms of stroke
- Pain when walking
- Gangrene
Some added common risk factors associated with hyperlipidemia include:
- Smoking or nicotine use
- Diabetes
- Kidney failure
- Obesity or overweight
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Eating fatty foods
- Lack of exercise or sedentary lifestyle
- Family history of atherosclerosis or coronary artery disease
EXAMS AND TESTS NEEDED
- Physical Evaluation
- Lipoprotein panel
TREATING HYPERLIPIDEMIA
Medications – most commonly one of the “statin” drugs
Weight loss program
Dietary changes
ALL THINGS VASCULAR
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