Elevated Lipid Levels: Origins, Identification, and Remedies
Familial hyperlipidemia, a condition characterized by high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood, requires a comprehensive approach to management. This approach includes lifestyle changes, medications, and in severe cases, advanced therapies.
Fighting Familial Hyperlipidemia with Lifestyle Changes
A heart-healthy diet is crucial in managing familial hyperlipidemia. This diet involves minimizing the intake of saturated fats, trans fats, sodium, and sugar. Regular exercise, avoiding smoking, limiting alcohol consumption, and regular monitoring of cholesterol levels are also essential. However, these changes may not be sufficient to control LDL cholesterol in familial hyperlipidemia due to its genetic nature, which causes very high cholesterol levels.
The Role of Medications
Medications play a significant role in managing familial hyperlipidemia. Statins, the primary cholesterol-lowering drugs, reduce LDL cholesterol by inhibiting its production in the liver. Cholesterol absorption inhibitors, such as ezetimibe, reduce cholesterol absorption from the intestine. Bile acid sequestrants help remove cholesterol from the bloodstream by binding bile acids in the gut. PCSK9 inhibitors, like evolocumab (Repatha), enhance the liver’s ability to remove LDL cholesterol. Bempedoic acid lowers cholesterol production in the liver by a different mechanism than statins. Fibrates and Niacin are less commonly used but can be alternatives or adjuncts in some cases.
Advanced Treatments for Severe Cases
In severe cases, advanced therapies may be necessary. Lipoprotein apheresis, a procedure that filters LDL cholesterol from the blood, is repeated regularly because LDL builds up again over time. Lomitapide, a drug that blocks microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), reduces the liver’s production of lipoprotesins and LDL cholesterol. A liver transplant is a rare option, reserved for very severe cases, especially in young patients with significant artery blockage.
Reducing Cardiovascular Risk
People with hyperlipidemia can reduce their risk of experiencing cardiovascular problems later in life by strictly following the diet and treatment plan their doctors recommend. This includes limiting or eliminating fast foods, high carbohydrate foods, highly processed foods, and any foods that do not offer good nutritional value. Consuming sources of omega-3 fatty acids, such as flaxseed and fatty fish like salmon, can further improve heart health and help manage cholesterol levels.
Regular Exercise and Physical Activity
Regular exercise and physical activity can help lower LDL levels, increase HDL levels, and manage weight. The American Heart Association recommends at least 150 minutes of moderately intense physical activity per week.
Recommended Cholesterol Levels
The recommended levels for total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and LDL cholesterol are as follows: - Total cholesterol: about 150 mg/dL - HDL cholesterol: Men: at least 40 mg/dL, Women: at least 50 mg/dL - LDL cholesterol: Otherwise healthy people: about 100 mg/dL, People with heart disease, diabetes, or unmanaged risk factors: less than 70 mg/dL
A recent guideline update advises that parents can choose for their children to have cholesterol screenings beginning as early as 9 years of age if they have a family history of high cholesterol or heart disease.
In Summary
Managing familial hyperlipidemia requires aggressive treatment with lifestyle modifications plus medications like statins and PCSK9 inhibitors. In severe cases, therapies like lipoprotein apheresis or lomitapide may be necessary to achieve target LDL cholesterol levels and reduce cardiovascular risk. People should discuss any concerns about their medication with their doctor before making any changes.
- In the management of familial hyperlipidemia, science and medicine establish disease-modifying treatments such as statins, PCSK9 inhibitors, and bile acid sequestrants to lower cholesterol levels.
- By adhering to a heart-healthy diet and regular exercise, personas can lower their LDL cholesterol levels, indirectly contributing to their cardiovascular-health and overall health-and-wellness.
- Nutrition plays a vital role in familial hyperlipidemia management, as consuming sources of omega-3 fatty acids like flaxseed and fatty fish can further improve heart health and help manage cholesterol levels.
- Fitness-and-exercise, especially moderately intense physical activity, can increase HDL levels and reduce LDL levels, making it an essential element in managing familial hyperlipidemia.
- To optimize cardiovascular-health, people with familial hyperlipidemia should follow doctors' recommendations meticulously, avoiding fast foods, high-carbohydrate foods, and highly processed foods that may exacerbate their medical-conditions, leading to various health complications.
