Lipid Disorders

Lipid Disorders – are the occurrence of high blood cholesterol and triglycerides that results from too many fatty substances in your blood.

Causes:

  • Inherited genetic trait
  • Fatty diets
  • Diabetes
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Birth control pills
  • Inactivity
  • Alcohol abuse

Symptoms

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Coronary artery disease
  • Stroke
  • Heart attack

Diagnosis:

  • Medical history
  • Physical examination
  • Blood testing
  • Carotid ultrasound
  • Coronary calcium score

Treatment Options:

  • Low fat diet like the Mediterranean diet or low carbohydrate diets
  • Aerobic exercise
  • Weight loss
  • Medication (statin, niacin, fibrate, bile acid resin, uptake inhibitors, omega-3 fatty acids)
  • Plasmapheresis for very severe cases

Importance: Affects men more than women, and can lead to serious complications and even sudden death.