Hyperlipidemia is the abundance of fatty molecules within the bloodstream that may lead to heart disease and stroke, according to MedlinePlus. The term hyperlipidemia is broad in scope, referring to blood cholesterol, lipoproteins and triglycerides. A 2010 survey of the American Heart Association reveals that 102.2 million Americans have high cholesterol. Numerous causes of hyperlipidemia may coexist; however, diagnosis is relatively easy, involving a simple blood test.
Genetics
Perhaps the most untreatable cause of hyperlipidemia is the genetic factor, according to MedlinePlus. A familial history of heart disease and elevated lipids or blood pressure warrant further research. Genes carry the blueprint of how the body handles fat, sugars and some diseases.
Fatty Diet
A cause for elevated blood lipids may be the diet of the individual, according to MedlinePlus. A diet high in saturated fats, including red meats, processed dairy and fat can elevate blood lipids to an unhealthy level. If this type of hyperlipidemia is caught early, diet modification may be the only avenue necessary to cure this condition.
Obesity
A type of obesity called metabolic syndrome may be linked to hyperlipidemia, notes MedlinePlus. This is characterized by fat distribution on the body as opposed to simply being overweight. The obesity that causes hyperlipidemia is described as fat deposits around the middle of the body, resembling an apple-like shape. This syndrome also causes a decrease in good cholesterol that helps fight off bad cholesterol.
Prescription Drugs
"The Medical Clinics of North America" notes that certain drugs are responsible for increasing the lipid content of the blood. Steroids, such as glucocorticoids for asthma, may increase the triglycerides and lipoproteins in the blood. Oral contraceptives, estrogen and testosterone are also stimulants for increased triglycerides and lipoproteins. Some of the drugs used to treat heart diseases, such as thiazide diuretics and beta blockers, increase blood lipids sporadically.
