Cholesterol (also called lipid) is a fat-like substance that deposits in the walls of blood vessels. It can contribute to the development of heart disease in certain individuals. Hypercholesterolemia is the clinical term for high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Other related terms used are high cholesterol, hyperlipidemia, and dyslipidemia.

While cholesterol is the most commonly referred-to element of the lipid profile, there are several elements that are tested, with differing significance of elevated or low levels. The desirable levels of the different elements vary somewhat depending on the presence of other risk factors of coronary artery disease (CAD).

Hyperlipidemia is known to be a key factor in the development of atherosclerosis (plaques that cause blockage of blood vessels) and is the greatest risk factor for the development of CAD. In the U.S., 500,000 men and women die of CAD each year.

High cholesterol is not always due to dietary intake of saturated foods. There are also hereditary disorders of cholesterol over-production and deposition. This is called familial hypercholesterolemia and can be difficult to treat.

There are a variety of medications now available which are designed to achieve the desired changes in the lipid profile. These, in conjunction with dietary and lifestyle interventions are the bases of treatment for hyperlipidemia.

Get the Facts... With your MediFocus Guide

The Medifocus Guide on Hyperlipidemia provides answers to the following important questions and medical issues:

• What are the most common symptoms of hyperlipidemia?
  
• Are there any recognized risk factors for developing hyperlipidemia?
  
• What kinds of medical tests are used to establish the diagnosis of hyperlipidemia?
  
• What is the current standard of care for the treatment of hyperlipidemia?
  
• What treatment options are available for the management of hyperlipidemia?
  
• Are there any promising new developments or potential breakthroughs in treatment?
  
• Who are the most notable medical authorities who specialize in hyperlipidemia?
  
• Where are the leading hospitals and centers of research for hyperlipidemia?
  
• What are the most important questions to ask my doctor about hyperlipidemia?
  

What Your Doctor Reads:

This MediFocus Guide contains an extensive listing of citations and abstracts of recent journal articles that have been published about this condition in trustworthy medical journals. This is the same type of information that is available to physicians and other health care professionals. A partial selection of journal articles that are abstracted in this MediFocus Guide includes:

• Low density lipoprotein cholesterol lowering: are the treatment guidelines still appropriate?.
  International Journal of Clinical Practice. 2000
• Lipid levels. Applying the second National Cholesterol Education Program report to geriatric medicine.
  Geriatrics. 2000
• Hyperlipidemia.
  Primary Care; Clinics in Office Practice. 2000
• Mechanism of the deadly quartet.
  Canadian Journal of Cardiology. 2000
• Insights on treating an over-the-counter-type subgroup: data from the Air Force/Texas Coronary Atherosclerosis Prevention Study Population.
  American Journal of Cardiology. 2000
• Bridging the treatment gap.
  American Journal of Cardiology. 2000
• Hyperlipidemia: diagnostic and therapeutic perspectives.
  Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. 2000
• Hypercholesterolemia. Is lipid-lowering worthwhile for older patients?.
  Geriatrics. 2000
• Treating elevated lipids. Does it make a difference?.
  Australian Family Physician. 2000
• Issues in managing hyperlipidaemia.
  Australian Family Physician. 2000

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