Hyperlipidemia

Chest | Endocrinology and Metabolism | Hyperlipidemia (Disease)


Description

Hyperlipidemia means elevated fat levels in the blood. Hyperlipidemia can be inherited and increases the risk of disease of the blood vessels leading to stroke and heart disease.

Causes and Risk factors

Most cases of hyperlipidemia are caused by lifestyle habits or treatable medical conditions. Lifestyle contributors include obesity, not exercising, and smoking. Conditions that cause hyperlipidemia include diabetes, kidney disease, pregnancy, and an underactive thyroid gland. Hyperlipidemia could be also inherit. The cause may be genetic if a person has a normal body weight and other members of the family have hyperlipidemia.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Because hyperlipidemia usually doesn't cause symptoms, blood test will be needed for a diagnosis. The blood test will show to the physician the levels of different lipids in the blood. The physician will compare the results to established ranges. The ranges help the physician diagnose hyperlipidemia and then decide whether it will be needed lifestyle modification, medical treatment, or both as treatments. ...