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Hyperlipidemia, Imbalance of Blood Fats Triggering Heart Disease

Hyperlipidemia is a medical term for a condition in which the level of lipids or fats in the blood increases high or not normal. It is important for you to be aware of this condition. Sometimes symptoms cannot be felt, but their effects later on can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, or even death. Hyperlipidemia is better known as high cholesterol, because it is characterized by high levels of cholesterol, triglycerides, or both. These are the two main types of lipids or fats found in the blood. Triglycerides come from extra calories stored by the body and from your food, such as dairy products, meat, high-sugar food products, fructose, and alcoholic drinks. While cholesterol is produced naturally in the liver and can be obtained from fatty foods, such as eggs, red meat, and cheese. The cholesterol is divided into two types, namely good cholesterol (High Density Lipoprotein / HDL) and bad cholesterol (Low Density Lipoprotein / LDL). Cholesterol becomes a problem when bad cholesterol levels are too high and good cholesterol levels are too low. Usually, people with hyperlipidemia have too high levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides. Cholesterol and triglyceride levels that are too high can cause blockages or plaque on the walls of blood vessels. Over time, the plaque can expand and clog arteries, causing heart disease and stroke.

Risk Factors for Hyperlipidemia

There are several factors that can increase a person's risk of developing hyperlipidemia, including:
  • Unhealthy lifestyle

  • Obesity, consuming too much fatty food, smoking habits, consuming too often alcoholic drinks, and lazy to exercise, can adversely affect your cholesterol level.
  • Certain medications

  • Birth control pills, diuretic drugs, and several types of antidepressants, are also known to affect your cholesterol levels.
  • Certain health conditions

  • Abnormal cholesterol levels can be found in pregnant women and people who suffer from certain diseases, such as diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disorders, and polycystic ovary syndrome.
  • Heredity

  • Hyperlipidemia can also be genetic or hereditary. Generally, people with hereditary hyperlipidemia have high cholesterol and triglyceride levels since age. This condition increases the risk of early coronary heart disease and heart attacks. Symptoms can be felt within a few years, such as chest pain, mild heart attacks, cramps in the calves when walking, sores on the toes that do not heal, and symptoms of stroke.

Symptoms and Diagnosis of Hyperlipidemia

Hyperlipidemia shows almost no signs and symptoms. But in hereditary hyperlipidemia, symptoms can appear such as yellowish fat growth around the eyes and joints. To confirm a hyperlipedemical condition, a blood test called a fat profile or lipid panel test should be performed. The results of this examination will show total cholesterol levels, triglyceride levels, good cholesterol and bad cholesterol levels. Normal cholesterol levels vary depending on history and health conditions. Normal total cholesterol level is under 200 mg / dL, and can be said to be high if it exceeds 240 mg / dL. LDL levels are considered normal if they range between 100 - 129 mg / dL, and are categorized as very high if they exceed 190 mg / dL. Normal triglyceride levels are below 150 mg / dL, and are high if they exceed 200 mg / dL.

How to Overcome Hyperlipidemia

Management of hyperlipidemia can vary. Most cases of hyperlipidemia can be overcome by changing and improving lifestyle. In some cases, hyperlipidemia must be treated by taking medical drugs. Here are some ways to reduce cholesterol levels that are too high:
  • Implement a healthy lifestyle

  • Living a healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet with a low fat and rich fiber menu, maintaining weight, exercising diligently, stopping smoking, and limiting the consumption of alcoholic drinks, can reduce your cholesterol levels.
  • Medical medicine

  • There are several types of drugs to treat the condition of hyperlipidemia. Cholesterol drugs that are often prescribed by doctors are statin drugs. This medicine is effective for lowering cholesterol levels in the blood. Nicotinic acid can also reduce levels of bad cholesterol and high triglyceride levels. Fibrates are another type of medication to reduce triglyceride levels and increase good cholesterol levels. There are also new types of drugs that can inhibit the absorption of cholesterol from food, these drugs are called selective cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
To overcome hyperlipidemia, besides living a healthy lifestyle, you need to routinely carry out regular blood tests to monitor fat levels in the body. You can also consult with your doctor to determine the correct steps for managing hyperlipidemia according to your condition.

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