Hyperlipidemia

By: Sophia Elias

 Introduction
Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which there are high levels of fat particles or
lipids in the blood.
If you have high cholesterol and/or high triglycerides, you would most likely
have hyperlipidemia
This disorder affects approximately 71 million Americans; only less than half
receive treatment for it
It is a chronic condition for most people
Known as the silent killer because you may not get any symptoms or signs
until you are in serious trouble
Hyperlipidemia is a major cause of Atherosclerosis and Atherosclerosis
induced conditions such as coronary heart disease, heart attack, and High Cholesterol
unstable angina which is unexpected chest pain Hyperlipidemia
http://
nch.adam.com/content.aspx?productId=117&isArticleLink=false&pid=60&gi
d=000211
Causes

Hereditary factors are the number one cause; it is typically genetic and has most likely been in your
family for generations causing it to be much worse
A diet high in saturated fat and cholesterol increases blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels
Diseases such as diabetes, kidney disease, and hypothyroidism can cause the hypertriglyceridemia
Obesity and lack of exercise can increase the chances of getting hyperlipidemia
Excessive alcohol use puts you at a higher risk for hypertriglyceridemia
Symptoms
There are usually no symptoms of hyperlipidemia. A blood test run called a lipid profile is necessary
to detect the disease.
There could be swelling of the liver, spleen, pancreas and other organs
Blockage of your blood vessels in brain or heart
Hyperlipidemia can cause heart attacks or strokes
Can be fatal
How it is
spread
This disease can unfortunately be handed down
from generation to generation
Being overweight and sedentary
Having a diet high in fat and low in fiber
Not seeking medical help can worsen the
condition
 Treatment

Exercise at least 30 minutes a day

Reduce your fat and sugar intake
Eat a healthy diet by increasing fruits and vegetables
Eat fish 2-3 times per week
Reduce your red meat intake to 1 time per week
Increase your fiber intake
Medications such as statins, niacin, or fibrates can help reduce
high lipids
Quit smoking
Eliminate alcohol
Chart

If your numbers fall outside of these normal ranges, you are at a higher risk for hyperlipidemia
and heart disease
 Facts

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that can build up on the walls of your arteries and lead to heart
disease if you have too much in your blood
There are more than 3 million US cases per year
Having high blood cholesterol puts you at risk of heart disease which is the leading cause of death in the
United States
People with high cholesterol have about twice the risk of heart disease as people with lower levels
Can last for years or be lifelong
Less than half of adults with high LDL cholesterol are getting treatment to lower their levels
Higher levels of good HDL cholesterol are associated with decreased risk of heart disease and stroke
Images
Work Cited

American Heart Association. Hyperlipidemia. Hyperlipidemia.

www.heart.org/HEARTORG/Conditions/Cholesterol/AboutCholesterol/Hyperlipidemia_UCM_434965_Arti
cle.jsp#.WOOSTRiZP-Y. Accessed 6 Apr. 2017.
Health Communities. What Is Hyperlipidemia? What Is Hyperlipidemia?, HealthCommunities, 25 Aug.
2011. www.healthcommunities.com/high-cholesterol/what-is-hyperlipidemia.shtml. Accessed 6 Apr. 2017
Davis, Kathleen. Hyperlipidemia: Causes, Diagnosis and Treatments. Medical News Today,
MediLexicon International, 18 June. 2015, www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/295385.php?page=2.
Accessed 6 Apr. 2017
American Association for Clinical Chemisrty. Lipid Profile. Lab Tests Online: Empower Your Health.
Understand Your Tests, 29 June. 2015, www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/lipid/tab/test/.
Accessed 6 Apr. 2017
Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention. High Cholesterol Facts. Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, 17 Mar. 2015, www.cdc.gov/cholesterol/facts.htm. Accessed 6 Apr. 2017