Medication
Classically, hypercholesterolemia was categorized by lipoprotein electrophoresis and the Fredrickson classification. Newer methods, such as "lipoprotein subclass analysis", have offered significant improvements in understanding the connection with atherosclerosis progression and clinical consequences.
Self-care
The evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of hypercholesterolemia (high blood lipids, high cholesterol), be it caused by genetics or poor lifestyle choices, is of paramount importance in managing cardiovascular disease's escalating development.[20]Nurses play a vital part in patient education.
Nutrition
If you have high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, your health care provider may prescribe medicine in addition to lifestyle changes to control your LDL cholesterol level. Several types of medicines help lower LDL cholesterol.
How is hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol) categorized?
Modifiable high cholesterol causes include a diet high in saturated or trans fats, low fiber, physical inactivity, obesity, and smoking. [22] There are genetic and acquired causes of hypercholesterolemia.
Why is it important for nurses to diagnose and treat hypercholesterolemia?
What are the treatment options for high LDL cholesterol?
What are the modifiable causes of high cholesterol?
What is the significance of hypercholesterolemia?
Hypercholesterolemia is an important risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, including cerebrovascular disease, coronary heart disease, and peripheral arterial disease; it is usually symptomatically quiescent until significant atherosclerosis has developed.
How do you treat high LDL cholesterol?
AdvertisementReduce saturated fats. Saturated fats, found primarily in red meat and full-fat dairy products, raise your total cholesterol. ... Eliminate trans fats. ... Eat foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids. ... Increase soluble fiber. ... Add whey protein.
Why is having high LDL cholesterol put you at greater risk for heart disease?
Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels of cholesterol can increase your risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. Eventually, these deposits grow, making it difficult for enough blood to flow through your arteries.
What is LDL hypercholesterolemia?
Adults and children who have familial hypercholesterolemia have very high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in their blood. LDL cholesterol is known as "bad" cholesterol because it can build up in the walls of the arteries, making them hard and narrow.
What is a statin and what does it do?
Statins are a group of medicines that can help lower the level of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in the blood. LDL cholesterol is often referred to as "bad cholesterol", and statins reduce the production of it inside the liver.
When does cholesterol need to be treated?
He generally recommends starting medications when 'bad' cholesterol is greater than 180. One recent study suggests treating cholesterol earlier in life may reduce future heart attacks and strokes.
What causes high LDL?
It's mainly caused by eating fatty food, not exercising enough, being overweight, smoking and drinking alcohol. It can also run in families. You can lower your cholesterol by eating healthily and getting more exercise. Some people also need to take medicine.
What can cause a sudden increase in LDL cholesterol?
lack of exercise or physical activity – this can increase your level of "bad cholesterol" (low-density lipoprotein, or LDL) obesity – if you're overweight, it's likely that you'll have higher levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides, and a lower level of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)
How do LDL and HDL cholesterol levels affect your heart?
LDL is the main source of artery-clogging plaque. HDL actually works to clear cholesterol from the blood. Triglycerides are another fat in our bloodstream. Research is now showing that high levels of triglycerides may also be linked to heart disease.
Is hypercholesterolemia the same as high cholesterol?
Cholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol can increase your chance of getting heart disease, stroke, and other problems. The medical term for high blood cholesterol is lipid disorder, hyperlipidemia, or hypercholesterolemia.
Are statins the best course of treatment for hypercholesterolemia in adults?
Statins are the best drugs to lower LDL cholesterol. Statins also have benefits above and beyond cholesterol lowering.
What system is hypercholesterolemia?
Hypercholesterolemia can be defined as the presence of high plasma cholesterol levels, with normal plasma triglycerides, as a consequence of the rise of cholesterol and apolipoprotein B (apoB)-rich lipoproteins, called low-density lipoprotein (LDL).
Why is my cholesterol high?
Causes. In some cases, high cholesterol levels may be inherited, your liver may make too much cholesterol, or your body may not remove LDL from your blood efficiently. High cholesterol and elevated triglycerides can also be associated with other diseases, such as diabetes. But most often high cholesterol is caused by eating foods high in saturated ...
What are the risk factors for high cholesterol?
The most important risk factors for high cholesterol are: Being overweight or obese. Eating a diet high in saturated fat and trans fatty acids ( found in processed and fried foods) Not getting enough exercise. Family history of heart disease. High blood pressure.
How to check cholesterol levels?
Most people do not have any symptoms of high cholesterol. A blood test is the only way to check levels of cholesterol in your blood. If your levels are above 200 mg/dL, or your HDL is below 40, your doctor may do a fasting lipid profile, a test performed after you abstain from food for 12 hours.
What foods can lower cholesterol?
Eat whole grains, whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, oat bran, and brown rice. Eat more fruits and vegetables, which are high in fiber and can help lower cholesterol levels. Studies show that plant-based diets are associated with decreases in total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol of up to 15%.
What is the recommended diet for people with high cholesterol?
The TLC (therapeutic lifestyle changes) diet is recommended for people who have high cholesterol. With the TLC diet, less than 7% of your daily total calories should come from saturated fat, and only 25% to 35% of your daily calories should come from fat, overall. Sodium should be limited to 2,400 mg per day.
Does fish oil raise HDL?
However, fish oil can also raise levels of both HDL and LDL slightly. When taken as a supplement, it can also act as a blood thinner, so people who already take blood-thinning medication should only take a fish oil supplement under their doctor's supervision.
Does the AHA recommend a low fat diet?
The AHA has developed dietary guidelines that help lower fat and cholesterol intake and reduce the risk of heart disease. The AHA does not recommend very low-fat diets, because new research shows that people benefit from unsaturated ("good") fats, such as those found in olive oil, avocados, and nuts.
How to treat high cholesterol?
Treatment. Lifestyle changes such as exercising and eating a healthy diet are the first line of defense against high cholesterol. But, if you've made these important lifestyle changes and your cholesterol levels remain high, your doctor might recommend medication.
What is the best treatment for high cholesterol in children?
Diet and exercise are the best initial treatment for children age 2 and older who have high cholesterol or who are obese. Children age 10 and older who have extremely high cholesterol levels might be prescribed cholesterol-lowering drugs, such as statins.
How is cholesterol measured?
In the United States, cholesterol levels are measured in milligrams (mg) of cholesterol per deciliter (dL) of blood. In Canada and many European countries, cholesterol levels are measured in millimoles per liter (mmol/L). To interpret your test results, use these general guidelines.
How old do you have to be to get a cholesterol test?
For most children, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute recommends one cholesterol screening test between the ages of 9 and 11, and another cholesterol screening test between the ages of 17 and 21.
What is the best medicine for high triglycerides?
If you also have high triglycerides, your doctor might prescribe: Fibrates. The medications fenofibrate (TriCor, Fenoglide, others) and gemfibrozil (Lopid) reduce your liver's production of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol and speed the removal of triglycerides from your blood.
What medications lower cholesterol?
The medications cholestyramine (Prevalite), colesevelam (Welchol) and colestipol (Colestid) lower cholesterol indirectly by binding to bile acids. This prompts your liver to use excess cholesterol to make more bile acids, which reduces the level of cholesterol in your blood. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors.
How long before a blood test can you drink water?
A blood test to check cholesterol levels — called a lipid panel or lipid profile — typically reports: For the most accurate measurements, don't eat or drink anything (other than water) for nine to 12 hours before the blood sample is taken.
What is the goal of LDL?
The main goal of treatment is to lower, or control, your LDL level to minimize your personal risk for heart attack or cardiovascular disease, based on your cholesterol numbers and other risk factors, such as a history of cardiovascular disease. Lifestyle changes are recommended for anyone with high cholesterol. These include: Diet upgrades.
What happens when you have high cholesterol?
Here’s what happens in your body when you have high cholesterol: The waxy cholesterol builds up in artery walls and contributes to plaque, a hard deposit that narrows and clogs the arteries. (You may hear this referred to as atherosclerosis, or “hardening of the arteries.”)
What foods raise cholesterol?
Stick to a healthy diet. Saturated fats, trans fats and dietary cholesterol can all raise cholesterol levels. Foods thought to keep cholesterol low include monounsaturated fats (such as nuts and olive oil), polyunsaturated fats (such as fish and canola oil) and water-soluble fiber (such as oats, beans and lentils).
How to lower triglycerides?
Alcohol can raise triglycerides, so you may be advised to cut back. Regular exercise . Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day, most days.
How to keep cholesterol levels in a healthy range?
Adults over age 20 should have their cholesterol measured at least every five years. That gives you and your doctor a chance to intervene early if your numbers start to rise. Stick to a healthy diet.
How to improve cardiovascular health?
Get practical ideas to on eating for cardiovascular health. Exercise and manage your weight. Along with a healthy diet, staying fit and maintaining a normal weight for your height lower your cardiovascular risks by minimizing the odds of other contributing health problems like obesity and diabetes.
Is cholesterol a natural component?
Cholesterol is a natural component in everyone’s blood, and supports normal function of cell membranes, hormone levels and more. However, having too much, is considered hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia or high blood cholesterol — a major risk factor for heart attack, heart disease and stroke. About 71 million Americans have high cholesterol.
Why is my LDL elevated?
Elevated levels of non-HDL cholesterol and LDL in the blood may be a consequence of diet, obesity, inherited (genetic) diseases (such as LDL receptor mutations in familial hypercholesterolemia ), or the presence of other diseases such as type 2 diabetes and an underactive thyroid.
When was the cholesterol guideline published?
In the UK, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence has made recommendations for the treatment of elevated cholesterol levels, published in 2008, and a new guideline appeared in 2014 that covers the prevention of cardiovascular disease in general.
What is the term for high levels of lipids in the blood?
It is a form of hyperlipidemia (high levels of lipids in the blood), hyperlipoproteinemia (high levels of lipoproteins in the blood), and dyslipidemia (any abnormalities of lipid and lipoprotein levels in the blood). Elevated levels of non-HDL cholesterol and LDL in the blood may be a consequence of diet, obesity, ...
What is the mutation in familial hypercholesterolemia?
In familial hypercholesterolemia, mutations may be present in the APOB gene ( autosomal dominant ), the autosomal recessive LDLRAP1 gene, autosomal dominant familial hypercholesterolemia ( HCHOLA3) variant of the PCSK9 gene, or the LDL receptor gene. Familial hypercholesterolemia affects about one in 250 individuals.
How do statins help with cholesterol?
In people without cardiovascular disease, statins have been shown to reduce all-cause mortality, fatal and non-fatal coronary heart disease, and strokes. Greater benefit is observed with the use of high-intensity statin therapy . Statins may improve quality of life when used in people without existing cardiovascular disease (i.e. for primary prevention). Statins decrease cholesterol in children with hypercholesterolemia, but no studies as of 2010 show improved outcomes and diet is the mainstay of therapy in childhood.
How much cholesterol is considered high?
In the United States, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute within the National Institutes of Health classifies total cholesterol of less than 200 mg/dL as “desirable,” 200 to 239 mg/dL as “borderline high,” and 240 mg/dL or more as “high”.
Why do people with type 2 diabetes need statins?
Statins should be used for primary prevention against macrovascular complications in adults with type 2 diabetes and other cardiovascular risk factors. Once lipid-lowering therapy is initiated, people with type 2 diabetes mellitus should be taking at least moderate doses of a statin.
What to do if you have high LDL?
If you have high low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, your health care provider may prescribe medicine in addition to lifestyle changes to control your LDL cholesterol level.
How old do you have to be to have a high LDL?
You are 40–75 years old with diabetes and an LDL cholesterol level of 70 mg/dL or higher. You are 40–75 years old with a high risk of developing heart disease or stroke and an LDL cholesterol level of 70 mg/dL or higher. Talk with your health care team about how you can lower your risk for heart disease.
What is the best vitamin for lowering cholesterol?
The body needs bile acids and makes them by breaking down LDL cholesterol. Niacin, or nicotinic acid. Niacin is a B vitamin that can improve all lipoprotein levels.
How does statin medicine lower cholesterol?
Cholesterol Lowering Medications. Type of Medicine. How It Works. Statins. Statin drugs lower LDL cholesterol by slowing down the liver’s production of cholesterol. They also increase the liver’s ability to remove LDL cholesterol that is already in the blood.
What are the risk factors for heart disease?
Your risk for heart disease and stroke depends on other risk factors, including high blood pressure and high blood pressure treatment, smoking status, age, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level, total cholesterol level, diabetes, family history, and whether you have already had a heart attack or stroke.
Diagnosis
Treatment
Clinical Trials
Lifestyle and Home Remedies
Specialist to consult
Preparing For Your Appointment
Overview
- Lifestyle changes such as exercising and eating a healthy diet are the first line of defense against high cholesterol. But, if you've made these important lifestyle changes and your cholesterol levels remain high, your doctor might recommend medication. The choice of medication or combination of medications depends on various factors, including your personal risk factors, your age, your h…
Signs and symptoms
- Explore Mayo Clinic studiestesting new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.
Causes
- Lifestyle changes are essential to improve your cholesterol levels. 1. Lose extra pounds.Losing weight can help lower cholesterol. 2. Eat a heart-healthy diet.Focus on plant-based foods, including fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Limit saturated fats and trans fats. Monounsaturated fat, found in olive and canola oils, is a healthier option. Avo...
Diagnosis
- If you're an adult who hasn't had regular cholesterol level checks, make an appointment with your doctor. Here's some information to help you get ready for your appointment.
Screening method
Hypercholesterolemia, also called high cholesterol, is the presence of high levels of cholesterol in the blood. It is a form of hyperlipidemia (high levels of lipids in the blood), hyperlipoproteinemia (high levels of lipoproteins in the blood), and dyslipidemia (any abnormalities of lipid and lipoprotein levels in the blood).
Elevated levels of non-HDL cholesterol and LDL in the blood may be a consequ…
Treatment
Although hypercholesterolemia itself is asymptomatic, longstanding elevation of serum cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries). Over a period of decades, elevated serum cholesterol contributes to formation of atheromatous plaques in the arteries. This can lead to progressive narrowing of the involved arteries. Alternatively smaller plaques may rupture and cause a cl…
Epidemiology
Hypercholesterolemia is typically due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Environmental factors include weight, diet, and stress. Loneliness is also a risk factor.
Diet has an effect on blood cholesterol, but the size of this effect varies between individuals.
Research directions
Cholesterol is measured in milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) of blood in the United States and some other countries. In the United Kingdom, most European countries and Canada, millimoles per liter of blood (mmol/L) is the measure.
For healthy adults, the UK National Health Service recommends upper limits of total cholesterol of 5 mmol/L, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) of 3 mmol/L. For people at high risk of c…