Hyperlipidemia Specialist
More than 102 million adults in the United States have hyperlipidemia. To reduce your risks for a life-threatening heart attack or stroke due to persistent high cholesterol, the skilled medical team at Advanced Heart Care offers preventive resources and customized treatments at their Fairview Heights and Belleville, Illinois, offices. Whether you need to make lifestyle changes or require medication therapy, you can rely on the cardiology team’s comprehensive solutions for hyperlipidemia. Learn more about treating hyperlipidemia today by calling the office nearest you or by booking a consultation online now.
Hyperlipidemia Q & A
What is hyperlipidemia?
Hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol, results when you have too many lipids in your blood. Lipids are fats, like cholesterol, that can build up in your arteries, blocking the pathway of blood from your heart to the rest of your body.
Your body naturally produces cholesterol to build healthy cells. High-density lipoproteins (HDL) make up the “good cholesterol,” which picks up extra cholesterol and takes it back to your liver for elimination.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDL) are known as “bad cholesterol.” LDL transports cholesterol through your body but can build up in your arteries. This buildup can cause your arteries to become narrow and hard.
What causes hyperlipidemia?
Hyperlipidemia can be an inherited condition, which is caused by gene mutations in the LDL cholesterol. You can also develop hyperlipidemia due to underlying medical conditions, like diabetes.
More commonly, hyperlipidemia results from lifestyle habits, such as:
- Obesity
- Smoking
- High-fat diet
- Lack of physical activity
If not treated properly, hyperlipidemia can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
How is hyperlipidemia diagnosed?
Because hyperlipidemia causes no symptoms until the condition is serious, it’s important to get routine screenings if you have a family history or risk factors for high cholesterol. During your appointment, your Advanced Heart Care physician reviews your personal and family medical history and current health to evaluate your risk for hyperlipidemia.
Diagnosing hyperlipidemia requires a simple blood test, which your physician uses to check your total levels of cholesterol, as well as your LDL and HDL cholesterol.
To ensure accuracy, you shouldn’t eat or drink for several hours before your test. Your Advanced Heart Care physician provides complete instructions to prepare you for your cholesterol blood test.
What treatments are available for hyperlipidemia?
Initially, your Advanced Heart Care physician may suggest lifestyle modifications to lower your cholesterol naturally. This may include getting exercise daily and eating a healthy, low-fat diet.
If lifestyle changes aren’t enough, you may need medications. Statins are a common treatment for high cholesterol because they block the substance your liver needs to produce cholesterol.
To schedule a cholesterol screening, call the Advanced Heart Care office nearest you or book an appointment today using the online booking feature.