HYPERCHOLESTEROLEMIA

Overview and Facts

Hypercholesterolemia is the existence of elevated plasma cholesterol levels with normal plasma triglycerides. This happens when there is a rise of cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (apoB)-rich lipoproteins, also known as low-density lipoproteins (LDL).

Cholesterol is a waxy substance that is found in your blood. Cholesterol is needed in our bodies to build up healthy cells. However, high levels of cholesterol can cause heart disease.

Fatty deposits in your blood vessels can lead to high cholesterol levels. Eventually, these deposits build up, creating troubles in blood circulation through your arteries. At times, these deposits suddenly break off and develop a clot, further leading to a heart attack or stroke.

High cholesterol is avoidable and curable. It can be congenital, but it’s usually the result of an unhealthy lifestyle. Regular exercise, healthy diet, and some medications can lessen high cholesterol levels.

Types and Symptoms

SYMPTOMS

Hypercholesterolemia has no signs and symptoms. The only way to detect it is through a blood test.

Adults and children with no risk for heart disease are usually examined once at the ages of 9 to 11 and will be examined again when they turn 17 to 19 years old. Every five years, adults with no risk for heart disease may visit the doctor.

If your test results aren’t predictable, your doctor may suggest more frequent measurements. If you have a family history of high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes or high blood pressure and if you smoke, your doctor may suggest more frequent tests.

Diagnosis & Medications

DIAGNOSIS

The blood test for cholesterol levels usually reports:

  • Total cholesterol
  • LDL cholesterol
  • HDL cholesterol
  • Triglycerides — a kind of fat in the blood

For best results, before a blood sample is taken, don’t eat or drink for 9 to 12 hours.

TREATMENT

To avoid hypercholesterolemia, change your lifestyle by eating a healthy diet, and exercising. However, if your cholesterol level remains high, your doctor may prescribe you some medications.

  • This is a medication that blocks substances that your liver needs to build cholesterol. In this case, your liver will start to eliminate cholesterol from your blood.
  • Bile-acid-binding resins. Bile acid is a product of our liver. The liver makes bile acids because they are needed for food The medications cholestyramine, colesevelam, and colestipol lower cholesterol indirectly by binding to bile acids. These help your liver use excess cholesterol to make more bile acids, which regulate the level of cholesterol in your blood.
  • Cholesterol absorption inhibitors. From your diet, your small intestine absorbs cholesterol and releases it into your bloodstream. To reduce blood cholesterol levels, you can take exetimibe. Ezetimibe can be used with a statin drug.
  • Injectable medications, also known as PCSK9 inhibitors, are a newer class of drugs that can help the liver absorb more LDL. The amount of cholesterol that is in your blood will be lessened. People with a hereditary condition that leads them to have very high levels of LDL or people with heart disease and intolerance to statins or other cholesterol medications may use alirocumab and evolocumab.

Related Articles

TETRALOGY OF FALLOT

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Tetralogy of Fallot is a congenital heart defect that affects the [...]

TRICHINOSIS

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trichinosis, also known as trichinellosis, is a parasitic infection caused by [...]

TRIGEMINAL NEURALGIA

Overview and FactsTypes and SymptomsDiagnosis & MedicationsOverview and Facts Trigeminal neuralgia is a neurological condition characterized by severe facial pain. [...]