Dyslipidemia

About Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia means having high cholesterol. Elevated levels of cholesterol in the blood increases the risk of having narrowed arteries. The blockage is caused by a buildup of plaque and fat deposits (atherosclerosis). The diseases caused by this narrowing are dependent on the arteries being blocked but include: heart attacks, strokes, and peripheral vascular disease. Having elevated cholesterol has also been shown to lead to high blood pressure and diabetes. There are two types of cholesterol that make up the total level of cholesterol, LDL and HDL. LDL is considered bad cholesterol and HDL is good cholesterol. To know a patient's true risk of disease the provider must send a blood test that measures both LDL and HDL. In general the LDL should be less than 130 mg/dL and anything greater than 160 mg/dL is considered too high. An HDL level lower than 40 mg/dL increases the risk of atherosclerosis. A person's cholesterol level is determined in part by inheritance, and in part by the foods he or she eats. Improving one's diet and/or medications can generally reduce the levels.

Symptoms

There are usually no symptoms related to having elevated cholesterol.

Tests & Diagnostics

A history and physical exam will be done. Blood levels will be done to measure total cholesterol, LDL and HDL. A triglyceride level is usually checked as well.

Path 3 — Prescription Options

Prescription medications

Conventional treatment summary

Treatment depends on how high the LDL level is and if other risk factors for developing blockage of the arteries (atherosclerosis) are present. Eating healthy foods, exercising more, and losing weight can improve mild elevations of cholesterol. Other treatments include medications such as statins (atorvastatin/Lipitor, fluvastatin/Lescol, lovastatin/Altocor or Mevacor, pravastatin/Pravachol, rosuvastatin/Crestor, simvastatin/Zocor), bile acid binding drugs (cholestyramine/Prevalite or Questran, colesevelam/Welchol, colestipol/Colestid), cholesterol absorption inhibitors (ezetimibe/Zetia) and combination drugs (ezetimibe-simvastatin/Vytorin).

Medical specialties

Internal Medicine · Pediatrics · Family Practice

This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Dyslipidemia.