Hyperlipidemia Information
Hyperlipidemia refers to the excess of fatty substances, or lipids, in the blood. Hyperlipidemia can be divided into two subcategories: hypercholestrolemia, which is the excess of cholesterol in the blood, and hypertriglyceridemia, which is the excess of triglycerides in the blood.
Hyperlipidemia is also referred to as hyperlipoproteinemia as lipids travel in the blood stream in combination with proteins. Lipids are the fat-protein complexes that may either be low density lipoproteins (LDL) or high density lipoproteins (HDL). These different kinds of lipoproteins have a different impact on the on the overall health of the heart. A higher level of LDL cholesterol leads to the blockage of arteries, which makes you susceptible to a heart attack. On the contrary, a low level of HDL increases your susceptibility to coronary diseases. As such, LDL cholesterol is referred to as the bad or harmful cholesterol, while HDL cholesterol is referred to as good cholesterol.
Causes
The major causes of hyperlipidemia are hyperthyroidism, pregnancy, and kidney failure. Other causes of hyperlipidemia include diabetes and inappropriate medication with higher content of glucocorticoid and estrogen. The excessive intake of alcohol as well as smoking causes hyperlipidemia. Hypertension and hereditary factors are other causative factors.
Symptoms
Hyperlipidemia doesn’t have very prominent and specific symptoms, and as such, it is generally diagnosed during a medical examination for coronary diseases. Hyperlipidemia leads to the deposition of cholesterol (or xanthomas) under the skin. It also leads to numerous pimple-like lesions on and across the skin. Another major symptom of hyperlipidemia is the inflammation of the pancreas, medically referred to as pancreatitis.
Treatment
Hyperlipidemia may be treated by regulating the cholesterol level in the blood. Eating a diet that is heart-friendly is also extremely beneficial in this condition. Do not consume foods that are rich in cholesterol such as red meat and animal foods like cheese, eggs and whole milk. Also, include a lot of green vegetables and fruits in your diet as these foods have negligible cholesterol content. Moreover, these foods serve as negative calorie foods, thereby reducing the overall content of LDL in the body. Eating cabbage, cucumber, onion, radish, tomatoes, carrot, and lettuce is also helpful as it is low in cholesterol and high in fiber. Make sure that you drink a lot of water, as water dissolves cholesterol and fats. Of course, it is necessary to refrain from the excessive intake of alcohol and nicotine.
If you feel that you might be suffering from hyperlipidemia, it is best to consult a cardiologist and get the necessary treatment.