Dyslipidemia
What is Dyslipidemia?
Dyslipidemia means you have abnormal levels of fats in your blood. These fats include cholesterol and triglycerides. Your body needs some cholesterol to build cells and make hormones. But too much of the wrong kind can clog your arteries and lead to heart disease.
There are different types of dyslipidemia. You might have high LDL cholesterol, which is often called bad cholesterol. Or you might have low HDL cholesterol, which is the good kind that helps remove bad cholesterol. Some people have high triglycerides. Many people have a combination of these issues.
Dyslipidemia usually has no symptoms until it causes serious problems. That is why regular blood testing is so important. Catching abnormal lipid levels early gives you time to make changes before heart disease develops. Most people can improve their numbers with lifestyle changes and medication when needed.
Symptoms
- Chest pain or pressure, especially with high cholesterol over many years
- Fatty deposits under the skin, called xanthomas, in severe cases
- Yellowish deposits around the eyelids, called xanthelasmas
- White or gray ring around the cornea in younger people
- Leg pain when walking, due to blocked arteries
- Stroke symptoms like sudden weakness or confusion
Most people with dyslipidemia feel completely normal for years. The condition quietly damages your arteries without warning signs. That is why blood testing is the only reliable way to know your lipid levels.
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Causes and risk factors
Diet plays a major role in dyslipidemia. Eating too much saturated fat, trans fat, and refined carbohydrates raises your LDL and triglycerides. Being overweight or inactive makes lipid problems worse. Smoking lowers your good HDL cholesterol and damages artery walls. Genetics also matter, as some people inherit conditions that cause very high cholesterol even with healthy habits.
Other factors include diabetes, thyroid problems, kidney disease, and certain medications. Age and gender play a role too. Men tend to develop dyslipidemia earlier, while women see increases after menopause. Heavy alcohol use raises triglycerides. Stress and poor sleep can also affect your lipid balance over time.
How it's diagnosed
Dyslipidemia is diagnosed with a lipid panel blood test. This test measures your total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides. You may need to fast for 9 to 12 hours before the test for accurate triglyceride results. Your doctor uses these numbers to assess your heart disease risk and decide if treatment is needed.
Rite Aid offers lipid testing at over 2,000 Quest Diagnostics locations nationwide. Our panel includes total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, plus advanced particle sizes like LDL medium and HDL large. Regular testing helps you track your progress and catch problems early. Getting tested twice a year gives you the data you need to protect your heart.
Treatment options
- Eat more fiber from vegetables, fruits, beans, and whole grains
- Choose healthy fats like olive oil, nuts, seeds, and fatty fish
- Limit saturated fat from red meat, butter, and full-fat dairy
- Avoid trans fats found in many processed and fried foods
- Exercise at least 150 minutes per week with moderate activity
- Lose weight if you are overweight, even 5 to 10 pounds helps
- Quit smoking to raise your HDL and protect your arteries
- Limit alcohol, especially if you have high triglycerides
- Take statins like atorvastatin or rosuvastatin to lower LDL
- Use fibrates like fenofibrate for high triglycerides
- Try ezetimibe to block cholesterol absorption in your gut
- Consider PCSK9 inhibitors for very high cholesterol
Concerned about Dyslipidemia? Get tested at Rite Aid.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
LDL cholesterol carries fat to your artery walls and can build up into plaques. That is why it is called bad cholesterol. HDL cholesterol carries fat away from your arteries to your liver for removal. Higher HDL protects your heart, while higher LDL increases risk.
Yes, genetics play a big role in your cholesterol levels. Some people inherit genes that cause their liver to make too much cholesterol or remove it poorly. Familial hypercholesterolemia is one example that runs in families. Lifestyle helps, but some people still need medication even with perfect habits.
Adults should get tested every 4 to 6 years if their numbers are normal. If you have high cholesterol or other risk factors, test more often. People on medication should test every 3 to 6 months until levels are stable, then twice a year. Regular testing helps you see if your treatment plan is working.
Total cholesterol should be below 200 mg/dL. LDL cholesterol should be below 100 mg/dL, or below 70 if you have heart disease. HDL cholesterol should be above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 for women. Triglycerides should stay below 150 mg/dL.
Yes, losing even 5 to 10 pounds can improve your lipid levels. Weight loss often lowers LDL and triglycerides while raising HDL. The effect is strongest when you lose fat around your belly. Combine weight loss with better food choices and exercise for the best results.
Fasting for 9 to 12 hours gives the most accurate triglyceride and LDL readings. You can drink water during the fasting period. Some newer guidelines say fasting is optional for basic screening, but your doctor may prefer it. Always follow the instructions given when you schedule your test.
Statins are very safe for most people and have been studied for decades. Some people get muscle aches or digestive issues, but serious side effects are rare. Your doctor will monitor your liver function with blood tests. The heart benefits usually far outweigh the risks for people with high cholesterol.
Yes, high LDL cholesterol builds up in your artery walls over time. This buildup narrows your arteries and can form plaques that rupture. When a plaque ruptures, it triggers a blood clot that blocks blood flow to your heart. That is what causes most heart attacks.
Saturated fats from red meat, butter, cheese, and tropical oils raise LDL the most. Trans fats in fried foods and baked goods are even worse. Refined carbs and sugar raise triglycerides. Dietary cholesterol from eggs and shellfish has less impact than once thought, but portions still matter.
Usually not, because statins are doing the work to keep your levels down. If you stop, your cholesterol will likely rise again within weeks. Some people can reduce their dose with major lifestyle changes, but always talk to your doctor first. Never stop medication without medical guidance.