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Relationship Between Hyperlipidemia & Coronary Heart Disease

Hyperlipidemia is also known as high cholesterol and has been linked to coronary heart disease. Knowing your cholesterol levels and adjusting your lifestyle can help to lower your risk of heart disease.

  1. Hyperlipidemia

    • Hyperlipidemia is an elevation of fats, also known as lipids, in the blood. These fats include chylomicrons, very low-density lipoproteins, intermediate-density lipoproteins, low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) and high-density lipoproteins (HDLs).

    Coronary Heart Disease

    • Coronary heart disease is when plaque builds up in the arteries that supply the heart with blood. When the plaque blocks the artery, a heart attack occurs.

    Relationship

    • The higher the levels of LDLs in your blood, the higher your risk for coronary heart disease. Conversely, the higher the levels of HDLs in your blood, the lower your risk for coronary heart disease.

    Diagnosis

    • Diagnosis for hyperlipidemia is done by drawing blood to have it tested. This should be done in adults every one to five years, according to the Advanced Cardiac Specialists website.

    Treatment

    • Treatment for hyperlipidemia includes switching to a low-calorie, low-fat, low-salt diet; doing more regular exercise; stopping smoking; reducing alcohol intake; adding antioxidants to the diet; and taking lipid-reducing drugs.

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