Hyperlipidaemia is the condition of large volumes of lipids in the blood. Lips can include cholesterol, phospholipids and triglycerides. This disorder leads to the accumulation of excess of lipids that contain more of cholesterol in the blood; it is certainly a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, pancreatitis and arthrosclerosis.
Often hyperlipidaemia condition is caused by genetics but it can occur by having improper diet and by specific diseases or medical conditions. Certain types of immunosuppressant drugs, diuretics, anabolic steroids and retinoic acid and HIV protease inhibitors can increase serum cholesterol. People with hyperlipidemia are likely to get diabetes, hypothyroidism and chronic kidney diseases. Treatment is aimed in lowering the levels of lipids to reduce the risk of getting various heart problems.
Lipids are protein molecules and are divided into 5 categories based on its density in the blood.
- Chylomicrons
- Lipoproteins with very low density VLDL
- IDL is Intermediate density lipoproteins
- LDL is the low density lipoproteins
- HDL is the high density lipoproteins.
Most of the triglycerides are transported in the form of VLDL or chylomicrons and cholesterol is transported through HDL and LDL.
Hyperlipidemia is classified into two types : Primary and secondary.
Primary type is mostly genetic based and are seen only in very few people. Secondary type of hyperlipidemia occurs due to diabetes, renal disease, thyroid problems and liver disease. It can also be caused due to overweight, consumption of alcohol and through medications that contain estrogen.
Complications :
Hyperlipidemia can cause recurrent heart diseases in diabetic patients and hence it is necessary for them to check their lipid levels regularly to prevent stroke and heart attack.