Diagnosis and Treatment of Lipid Disorders

> Why you should be concerned about high cholesterol
> Benefits of lowering cholesterol
> Risk Factors
> Prevention and treatment
> A good blood cholesterol level

Why you should be concerned about high cholesterol

Elevated blood fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) are major risk factors for heart disease and stroke. High levels of cholesterol and its " bad" fraction (LDL-cholesterol), high levels of triglycerides, and low levels of the "good" cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol), are associated with blockage of the arteries to the heart.

Benefits of lowering cholesterol

Studies have shown that lowering LDL-cholesterol and / or elevating HDL-cholesterol will reduce risk of coronary heart disease. For every 1% reduction in blood cholesterol, there is a 2% reduction in coronary heart disease risk. For every milligram increase in HDL-cholesterol, there is a 4% reduction risk.

Risk Factors

Other risk factors for heart disease include high blood pressure, smoking, diabetes, family history of heart disease, metabolic syndrome, obesity, thrombophilia (increased risk of forming blood clots), and hypofibrinolysis (reduced ability to dissolve blood clots).

Prevention and treatment

Lipid-lowering therapy works best before there is a heart attack, coronary artery bypass surgery, stroke, or peripheral vascular disease. It is also very valuable after the onset of heart disease or ischemic stroke. Lipid lowering therapy is particularly important after stent placement, since it helps prevent reocclusion of the arteries.

A good blood cholesterol level

The guidelines for primary prevention from the National Cholesterol Education Program for total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides are as follows:
 

Risk Category	Target	Therapy
Previous vascular event or Type II Diabetes	LDL-chol HDL-chol   Triglycerides < 70 > 50 women > 40 men < 150	Diet Exercise Drug Therapy
Other Risk Factors for Heart Disease	LDL-chol HDL-chol   Triglycerides < 100 > 50 women > 40 men < 150	Diet Exercise Drug Therapy
Healthy No Risk Factors	LDL-chol HDL-chol   Triglycerides < 130 > 50 women > 40 men < 150	Diet Exercise