Hyperlipidemia; acquired
Alternative names:
acquired hyperlipoproteinemia; high blood cholesterol; high
blood triglycerides; high cholesterol; high triglycerides;
hyperlipidemia
Definition:
A group of disorders characterized by an excess of fatty
substances, such as cholesterol, triglycerides,
and lipoproteins, in the blood.
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:
Hyperlipidemia is caused by excess lipids
or fatty substances in the blood and is an important risk
factor in developing atherosclerosis
and heart disease. Hyperlipidemia
may be caused by genetic factors, as in certain familial diseases,
or by secondary factors in acquired hyperlipidemia.
Forms of lipids in the blood are cholesterol,
triglycerides, and lipoproteins,
which are molecules of fat
and cholesterol linked to protein.
Types of lipoproteins are: very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL),
low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
and intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL). Chylomicrons
are also classified as lipoproteins and are composed of triglycerides,
cholesterol and protein. There are also high-density lipoproteins
(HDL) that are inversely
related to heart disease risk and are therefore known as "antirisk"
factors.
There are 6 types of hyperlipidemia which are differentiated
by the type(s) of lipids that are elevated in the blood. Some
of the types may be due to a primary disorder such as a familial
hyperlipidemia, and some are due to secondary causes. Secondary
causes of hyperlipidemia are related to diseases associated
with hyperlipidemia, dietary risk factors, and drugs associated
with hyperlipidemia.
Disease risk factors are a history of insulin
dependent diabetes mellitus, non-insulin
dependent diabetes mellitus, hypothyroidism,
Cushing's syndrome, and
certain types of renal failure.
Drug risk factors are birth control pills; hormones such as
estrogen and corticosteroids; certain diuretics; and beta-blockers.
Dietary risk factors are dietary fat intake per total calories
greater than 40%; saturated
fat intake per total calories greater than 10%; cholesterol
intake greater than 300 milligrams per day; habitual excessive
alcohol use; and obesity.
The incidence is 1
out of 100 people and is higher among men than women.
Updated Date: 06/22/00
Updated by: David H. Stern, MD Chief Medical
Resident, University of Pennsylvania Hospital, VeriMed Healthcare
Network
|
