Treatment of Hyperlipidemia

Millions of Americans suffer from hyperlipidemia -- too many fatty substances such as cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. Left untreated, the condition can lead to serious cardiovascular diseases and even death. Hyperlipidemia is preventable, treatable and curable using a combination of diet, exercise and drug therapies. The exact regimen depends on certain risk factors that vary based on a patient's age.

Why Immediate Treatment Is Necessary

• Hyperlipidemia can be considered a silent killer because it has no noticeable external symptoms. The condition usually is found in a blood test during a routine physical. Common tests measure lipids, the broad term for fatty substances in the blood. If you have too much low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in your blood, you are at risk for blocked arteries, heart attacks and heart disease. LDL is sometimes referred to as "bad" cholesterol.

  Hyperlipidemia also occurs when high-density lipoproteins (HDL) are too low. Low HDL levels are a major cause of heart disease. People with low HDL generally have high triglyceride levels, which also is linked to heart disease.

  When recommending a hyperlipidemia treatment, doctors consider your age, LDL and HDL levels and other risk factors, such as a family history of heart disease, whether you are a smoker, and if you have signs of diabetes, underactive thyroid or high blood pressure, which also play a role in hyperlipidemia.

Diet and Exercise Treatment

• Often, treatment for hyperlipidemia includes making dietary changes and following a daily exercise regimen. Losing weight, reducing fat intake and doing aerobic exercise are key elements of this plan.

  A diet high in fiber and very low in saturated and total fats is recommended for those with high LDL and triglyceride levels. Because "bad" cholesterol is found in animal products, a diet for hyperlipidemia significantly restricts red meats and dairy products. To lower LDL and increase HDL, your diet should emphasize whole grains, beans, nuts, soy protein, fruits and vegetables.

Drugs Used to Treat Hyperlipidemia

• If diet and exercise are not controlling your hyperlipidemia, your doctor can prescribe medications to help do the job. The most common medications to treat high LDL are statins, which reduce the body's production of cholesterol.

  Niacin (nicotinic acid) is among the drugs used to lower LDL and increase HDL, while fibrates are prescribed to lower triglyceride levels. Depending on a person's lipid profile, a combination of drugs may be used to treat hyperlipidemia.