Dyslipidemia may not always cause symptoms but it can lead to other conditions.
Many people achieve healthy levels by eating a balanced diet and through other aspects of their lifestyle. However, some require medication to prevent additional health problems.
Dyslipidemia occurs when someone has abnormal levels of lipids in their blood. While the term describes a wide range of conditions, the most common forms of dyslipidemia
:
high levels of low-density lipoproteins (LDL), or bad
low levels of high-density lipoproteins (HDL), or good cholesterol
high levels of triglycerides
high cholesterol, which refers to high LDL and triglyceride levels
Lipids, or fats, are building blocks of life and provide energy to cells. Lipids include:
LDL cholesterol, which is considered bad because it can cause plaques to form in the blood vessels.
HDL cholesterol, which is regarded as good because it can help to remove LDL from the blood.
Triglycerides, which develop when
are not burned right away and are stored in fat cells.
Healthy blood lipid levels naturally vary from person to person. However, people with high levels of LDL and triglycerides or very low HDL levels tend to have a higher risk of developing
.
Atherosclerosis develops when hard, fatty deposits called plaques accumulate in blood vessels, making it difficult for blood to flow.
Over time, these plaques can build up and cause major circulation problems, such as
and
.
Primary dyslipidemia is caused by genetic mutations that disrupt how the body processes fats and cholesterol in the blood, such as familial hypercholesterolemia (FH). This can cause very high LDL cholesterol from birth. It can also be linked to familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCH), which affects multiple lipid types.
Secondary dyslipidemia develops due to underlying conditions or factors, such as:
diabetes
hypothyroidism
obesity
chronic kidney disease
certain medications (such as corticosteroids)
a diet rich in saturated and trans fats
a sedentary lifestyle
In secondary dyslipidemia, addressing the root cause often improves lipid levels.
Unless it is severe, most people with dyslipidemia are unaware that they have it. A doctor will usually diagnose dyslipidemia during a routine blood test or a test for another condition.
Both CAD and PAD can cause serious health complications, including heart attacks and strokes. Common symptoms of these conditions include:
, especially when walking or standing
chest pain
tightness or pressure in the chest and shortness of breath
pain, tightness, and pressure in the neck, jaw, shoulders, and back
and
sleep problems and daytime exhaustion
dizziness
heart palpitations
cold sweats
vomiting and nausea
swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, stomach, and veins of the neck
fainting
These symptoms may get worse with activity or
and get better when a person rests.
Talk with a doctor about chest pain, especially any of the above symptoms accompany it.
Anyone who experiences severe chest pain, dizziness, and fainting, or problems breathing should seek emergency care.
The cause can vary based on the type of dyslipidemia a person has.
Primary dyslipidemia
Genetic factors cause primary dyslipidemia, and it is inherited. Common causes of primary dyslipidemia include:
Familial combined hyperlipidemia, which develops in teenagers and young adults and can lead to high cholesterol.
Familial hyperapobetalipoproteinemia, a mutation in a group of LDL lipoproteins called apolipoproteins.
Familial hypertriglyceridemia, which leads to high triglyceride levels.
Homozygous familial or polygenic hypercholesterolemia, a mutation in LDL receptors.
Secondary dyslipidemia
Secondary dyslipidemia is caused by lifestyle factors or medical conditions that interfere with blood lipid levels over time.
Common causes of secondary dyslipidemia include:
, especially excess weight around the waist
diabetes
alcohol use disorder, also known as
polycystic ovary syndrome
metabolic syndrome
excessive consumption of fats, especially saturated and trans fats
Cushing’s syndrome
inflammatory bowel disease, commonly known as IBS
severe infections, such as
an abdominal aortic
Several factors are known to increase the chances of developing dyslipidemia and related conditions. These risk factors include:
obesity
a sedentary lifestyle
a lack of regular physical exercise
alcohol use
tobacco use
use of illegal or illicit drugs
sexually transmitted infections
hypothyroidism
chronic kidney or liver conditions
digestive conditions
older age
a diet rich in saturated and trans fats
a parent or grandparent with dyslipidemia
female sex, as women tend to experience higher LDL levels after
Diagnosis for dyslipidemia begins with a lipid panel blood test, which measures:
total cholesterol
low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol
triglycerides
This test requires fasting, meaning no food or drink for 9 to 12 hours beforehand.
Doctors use risk calculators like the
equations or the
to assess 10-year cardiovascular risk, incorporating factors such as:
age
blood pressure
diabetes
smoking status
Many electronic health records (EHRs) still
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) calculators for this purpose.
Elevated lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] or high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) can signal higher risk, so doctors may recommend earlier testing.
The
and
may recommend a non-invasive coronary artery calcium (CAC) scan for adults ages 40 to 45 who fall into borderline or at intermediate cardiovascular risk categories. This helps refine LDL targets and create a more personalized diagnosis rather than relying solely on basic lipid levels.
A doctor will usually focus on lowering a person’s levels of triglycerides and LDL. However, treatment can vary, depending on the underlying cause of dyslipidemia and how severe it is.
Doctors may prescribe one or more lipid-modifying medications for people with very high total cholesterol levels of at least 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood.
High cholesterol is usually treated with statins, which interfere with the production of cholesterol in the liver.
If statins fail to lower LDL and triglyceride levels, or if someone develops side effects, a doctor may recommend additional medications, including:
ezetimibe
niacin
fibrates
bile acid sequestrants
evolocumab and alirocumab
lomitapide and mipomersen
Some lifestyle changes and supplements can help to encourage healthy blood lipid levels.
Lifestyle adjustments are often the first step recommended by doctors. These changes target diet, activity, and habits to help improve lipid levels and lower risk of complications such as a heart attack and stroke.
reducing the consumption of unhealthy fats, such as those found in red meats, full-fat dairy products, refined
, chocolate, chips, and fried foods
exercising regularly
maintaining a healthy
, by losing weight if necessary
reducing or avoiding alcohol consumption
and other use of tobacco products
avoiding sitting for long periods of time
increasing consumption of healthy polyunsaturated fats, such as those found in nuts, seeds, legumes, fish, whole grains, and olive oil
taking
oil, either as a liquid or in capsules
eating plenty of dietary fiber from whole fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
getting at least 6 to 8 hours of sleep a night
drinking plenty of water
People with minor dyslipidemia usually have no symptoms. They can often manage or resolve the condition by making lifestyle adjustments.
People with dyslipidemia should contact a doctor if they experience symptoms relating to the heart or circulation, including:
chest pains or tightness
dizziness
heart palpitations
exhaustion
swelling of the ankles and feet
trouble breathing
cold sweats
nausea and heartburn
People who have severe dyslipidemia, especially those with other medical conditions, may need to manage their blood lipid levels with medication, in addition to making lifestyle changes.