Hyperlipidemia is a chronic medical condition featuring abnormally high levels of lipids, or fats, in the blood. More common than you might think. Hyperlipidemia affects about 93 million adult Americans aged 20 and older. It puts them at risk for a number of serious health issues. Thankfully, your primary care provider can help you manage your symptoms with comprehensive hyperlipidemia treatment.
Let’s learn more about hyperlipidemia, the potential problems it can cause, and its symptoms and risk factors. Additionally, we will discuss how your primary care provider can assist you in managing it.
What Is Hyperlipidemia?
Hyperlipidemia refers to elevated blood levels of lipids, including “good” and “bad” cholesterol and triglycerides. While these lipids assist your body in building cells, producing hormones and other physiological functions, too much of them can harm your health.
The ongoing condition often goes unnoticed because it typically does not have obvious symptoms. As such, regular screening – every one to two years – by your primary care physician is an important part of preventive medical care.
When you do your screening blood test at your wellness check-up, your results will tell you about your HDL or high-density lipoproteins and LDL or low-density lipoproteins. Your primary care physician or cardiologist will want to see your HDL at 200 mg/dL or lower and your LDL at 159 mg/dL or lower. These numbers are considered within normal range. Higher numbers put you at risk for cardiovascular problems.
What Problems Can Hyperlipidemia Cause?
When left untreated, hyperlipidemia causes a dangerous buildup of plaques in your arteries. This condition is known as atherosclerosis or hardening of the arteries.
Atherosclerosis can restrict blood flow to all the vital areas of your body. It can lead to complications such as:
- Clots that can block blood flow.
- Stroke, a very serious acute event in which a blood clot travels to the brain and causes paralysis and even death.
- Cardiovascular disease or obstruction of the arteries feeds the heart muscle and increases the risk of heart attack and heart failure.
- Carotid artery disease which develops when the main arteries to the brain narrow or become blocked.
- Peripheral artery disease which restricts blood flow to the extremities.
What Are the Symptoms and Risk Factors for Hyperlipidemia?
Hyperlipidemia is often called a “silent” condition due to its lack of symptoms. However, signs of a heart attack due to high cholesterol can be unmistakable. They include sweating, chest and/or jaw pain and shortness of breath. These signs constitute a life-threatening emergency which requires transport to the nearest hospital emergency room.
Also, you should be aware of certain risk factors which increase your likelihood of developing high cholesterol. Common risk factors are:
- Your family history (there is a genetic component to high cholesterol levels).
- Consuming a poor diet, such as one high in saturated and trans fats.
- A sedentary lifestyle lacking regular aerobic exercise, such as walking, cycling or swimming.
- Obesity.
- Smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
- Advancing age.
- Gender (more males than females have high cholesterol levels).
- Being diabetic, having kidney or liver disease or being HIV positive.
- Stress.
- Poor sleep habits and/or a sleep disorder called obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).
What Can My Primary Care Provider Do to Help Me Manage Hyperlipidemia?
Your primary care provider (PCP) plays a central role in managing your hyperlipidemia. Here is how your PCP can partner with you in achieving lower cholesterol levels and improved overall health through personalized hyperlipidemia treatment.
Regular In-office Screenings
Monitoring cholesterol levels through regular blood tests can help track your lipid profile over time.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Based on your risk factors and screening results, your primary care provider can design a treatment plan tailored to your specific health profile. This often includes lifestyle changes, such diet modifications, smoking cessation, and increased physical activity.
Medication Management
If necessary, your PCP may prescribe medications such as statins to help lower cholesterol levels. Statins work by blocking an enzyme in the liver which produces cholesterol.
Your PCP will monitor your response to medication and adjust it as needed. Your doctor also will look at other medications and supplements you may take to evaluate how they may impact your cholesterol.
Ongoing Monitoring and Support
Managing hyperlipidemia is a lifelong process. Your primary care provider will continue to monitor your progress regularly through office visits and blood tests. You will also receive ongoing support and education to help you live in the healthiest way possible.
Hyperlipidemia Treatment Near Me in Sarasota, FL
If you are in search of a doctor who can provide you with primary care services and help you control hyperlipidemia, look no further than Intercoastal Medical Group. Our team of primary care physicians and our eight cardiologists help patients understand the risks of high cholesterol and how to manage it for better heart health. We offer comprehensive care plans tailored to individual needs, ensuring you receive the best possible guidance and support in managing your condition.
To schedule an appointment and learn more about how hyperlipidemia treatment can benefit you, call our location nearest you or use our appointment request form.
