Hypercholesterolemia: Symptoms, Causes, Risk and the Treatment

How to treat Hypercholesterolemia? Hypercholesterolemia, which is elevated blood total cholesterol (TC) and/or low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) or non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) (defined as TC minus HDL-C), Also commonly referred to as dyslipidemia, including the fact that it may be accompanied by low HDL-C, elevated triglycerides, or abnormal lipid quality. Dyslipidemia was classified as a general population with serum TC, LDL-C, triglyceride, apolipoprotein B or lipoprotein(a) concentrations above 90%, or HDL-C or apolipoprotein A-I concentrations below 10%. However, these classic percentile cutoffs should not be used too strictly when defining dyslipidemia. For example, there is evidence of lipoprotein(a) ≥ 80. Abnormal percentiles and associated with increased cardiovascular risk. For more information just click on Afrique Santé Bio to discuss with one of Specialist.

How to treat Hypercholesterolemia

Symptom. How to treat Hypercholesterolemia?

How to treat Hypercholesterolemia? Adults and children with familial hypercholesterolemia have very high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in their blood. LDL cholesterol is called « bad » cholesterol just because it builds up on the walls of arteries, making them hard and narrow.

This excess cholesterol is sometimes deposited in certain parts of the skin, some tendons, and around the iris of the eye:

• Skin. The most common places for cholesterol deposits are the hands, elbows, and knees. They can also appear in the skin around the eyes.

• Tendon. Cholesterol deposits can thicken the Achilles tendon and some tendons in the hand.

• Eye. High cholesterol can cause the corneal arch, a white or gray ring around the iris. This is most common in older adults, but can also occur in younger adults with familial hypercholesterolemia.

What causes hypercholesterolemia?

How to treat Hypercholesterolemia? Familial hypercholesterolemia is caused by a gene alteration that’s passed down from one or both parents. People who have this condition are born with it. This change prevents the body from ridding itself of the type of cholesterol that can build up in the arteries and cause heart disease.

Hypercholesterolemia causes include:

• Your genes (pure or familial hypercholesterolemia).
• A diet that includes a lot of saturated and/or trans fats.
• A lack of exercise.
• Tobacco products.
• Obstructive liver disease.
• Diabetes.
• Hypothyroidism.
• Anorexia nervosa.
• Chronic renal failure or nephrotic syndrome.
• Nephrotic syndrome.
• Amiodarone.
• Rosiglitazone.
• Cyclosporine.
• Hydrochlorothiazide.
• HIV/AIDS
• Lupus

Risk factor

Factors that may increase the risk of unhealthy cholesterol levels include:

Bad eating habits. Eating too much saturated or trans fat can lead to unhealthy cholesterol levels. Saturated fats are found in fat-cut meats and whole dairy products. Trans fats are often found in packaged snacks or desserts.

• Obesity. A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher puts you at risk for high cholesterol.
• Lack of exercise. Exercise helps increase your body’s HDL, or « good » cholesterol.
• Smokes. Smoking can lower your levels of HDL, or « good » cholesterol.
• Alcohol. Excessive drinking can increase total cholesterol levels.
• Age. Even young children can have unhealthy cholesterol, but it is more common in people over the age of 40. As you age, your liver’s ability to remove LDL cholesterol decreases.

What medications should be used to lower LDL levels?

Statins are the first-line agents to lower LDL levels. If adequate LDL lowering is not achieved, a more potent statin can be considered. If adequate LDL is still not achieved, either a bile acid sequestrant, fibrate, or nicotinic acid should be added. Note that patients may need to be followed more carefully for side effects, such as liver function test (LFT) elevation and myopathy, with certain combination therapies.