Hyperlipidemia refers to when the fat levels in your blood are elevated, and most doctors also use this term to broadly cover hypercholesterolaemia as well, where your
cholesterol levels are high. 

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WHAT CAUSES IT?

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For a large majority of people, this condition is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. 

A diet high in unhealthy fats, like those you find in cakes, pastries and fast food, will increase the levels of fats and bad cholesterol (LDL) in your blood.

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Also, if you do not exercise regularly, this condition will continue to progress and worsen.

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There are some cases where this condition is passed down in the family, and these patients tend to have much higher fat and LDL levels. They may also have small lumps of cholesterol deposits on their tendons in their arms and legs.

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DO I HAVE IT?

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The only way to tell is to do a blood test. Check with your neighbourhood clinic to get your health screening panel done.

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You should get your lipid (fat) levels checked every year if you have Diabetes, Hypertension, heart or kidney disease, or are a smoker. 

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Otherwise, you can get it checked every 1-3 years once you turn 40.

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A lot of people do not even realise they have this condition until they get it checked, so you should definitely make time for your health screening soon!

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WHY SHOULD I BOTHER?

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Hyperlipidmeia can be dangerous. If the fat levels in your blood build up to high levels, your risk of heart disease and getting a stroke is significantly higher than the general
population.

 

This is because the excess cholesterol can be deposited in the walls of your blood vessels, causing clogs that cut off the blood supply to vital organs like your heart and brain.

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THERE ARE DIFFERENT KINDS OF CHOLESTEROL?

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There's good and bad cholesterol. 

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HDL (high-density lipoprotein) refers to the 'good' cholesterol. It helps protect you from getting heart attacks and strokes.

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Its levels increase when you supplement your diet with healthy fats (such as those from fish oil), and when you exercise regularly. A level of more than 1 mmol/L is considered to be healthy for you.

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LDL refers to he 'bad' cholesterol, and this is the cholesterol that tens to cause plaques in your blood vessels and cause clogs. Its level increases when you eat unhealthy fatty
foods, and do not exercise.

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TG (triglycerides) refers to the level of fat in your blood. It also goes up with an unhealthy diet and a lack of exercise. It also increases your risk of heart disease and stroke.

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You want your HDL levels to be high, and your LDL and TG levels to be low. 

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There are different targets for your LDL value, depending on your medical condition, but most people will benefit from a level of less than 3.4 mmol/L. A lower target of less than 2.6 mmol/L is set for people with other medical conditions like Diabetes or heart disease.

 

Your doctor can set some targets for you and help you to reach them.

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WHAT CAN I DO ABOUT IT?

 

DIET

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Diet is KEY to managing this condition. 

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Without a healthy diet, exercise will only do so much to help you control your cholesterol levels.

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Cut down on fatty and oily foods, like fried chicken wings and fast food. These foods are high in fat and cholesterol - very bad for you. 

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There are some foods which may actually have high contents of fat although you may not realise it. These include cakes and pastries, since some bakeries may use a lot of
butter to make their products taste nice and creamy. 

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Instead, try to eat a diet high in healthy fats, since these healthy fats help to protect your heart and brain as well. These healthy fats include those found in Extra-virgin Olive Oil, and Coconut Oil.

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Aim to have less fried, oily food in your diet, and instead eat more fruits and vegetables.

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Give some of our 'DIET' articles a read to learn how to maintain a healthy diet. 

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EXERCISE

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Regular exercise will help you to maintain your cholesterol levels in a healthy range, especially when coupled with a healthy diet. 

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Exercise also helps you raise your HDL levels, which help keep your heart healthy. It also lowers your LDL and Triglycerides levels, both of which are bad for you.

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Read more about some of the exercises you can do on our 'BASIC EXERCISE' page. 

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SMOKING

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Smoking increases your risk of getting a heart attack or stroke, and this risk is especially higher if you have medical conditions like Hyperlipidemia. 

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It causes inflammation in the walls of your blood vessels, and increases the build-up of fatty plaques in the walls of your blood vessels, which can block off the blood supply to vital organs like your heart and brain.

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Once you quit smoking, your risks decreases, but it does take a significant period of time (more than 15 years in some people) before your risk of getting heart disease
because of your smoking matches that of a non-smoker.

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Speak to your neighbourhood pharmacist to try some Nicotine lozenges and patches so you can wean yourself off smoking.

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MONITOR

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You need to regularly check for and treat any chronic medical conditions you have. Treating one in isolation and simply not checking for others will be very bad for your health!

LIPID PANEL

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Your lipid panel helps you keep track of the levels of the different kinds of cholesterol in your blood. Make sure you get your lipid panel blood test done yearly, so that you can keep track of your condition and see if your medications need to be adjusted. 

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You need to regularly check for and treat any chronic medical conditions you have. Treating one in isolation and simply not checking for others will be very bad for your health!

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Speak to your neighbourhood clinic to find out more about doing some fasting blood tests.

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BLOOD PRESSURE

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You should invest in an automatic blood pressure monitor from a trusted brand of medical devices.

 

There are quite a range to choose from, your pharmacist can help you pick a reliable one. Omron is a good brand to consider.

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Get a blood pressure monitor that goes around your arm, and has a digital display.

 

There are some newer devices that go around your wrist instead, but I really would stick with a more conventional device.

 

Monitor your blood pressure in the mornings, afternoons and evenings, a few days in the week, and record your readings in this chart that you can download the chart by clicking here. 

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It is important to maintain a healthy blood pressure if you have Hyperlipidemia, because Hypertension will further increase your risk of developing a heart problem, a stroke, or kidney disease.

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