Coronary artery disease and hyperlipidemia are serious health issues. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is the most common type of heart disease in the United States. In 2005, more than 445,000 Americans died from CAD, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Cholesterol and triglyceride control are vital to reduce your risk for developing hyperlipidemia and CAD.
Hyperlipidemia
Your doctor uses a blood test to diagnose hyperlipidemia, otherwise known as dyslipidemia. A person with dyslipidemia has high total cholesterol or high triglycerides, or both, according to MerckManuals.com. Primary, or genetic, causes of hyperlipidemia are not as common as secondary causes, like diet and a sedentary lifestyle.
CAD
CAD describes a condition where cholesterol and other fatty substances build up inside the arteries that carry oxygen-rich blood to the heart's muscles. This accumulation narrows the artery, which is a condition known as atherosclerosis. You may experience chest pains or even a heart attack if the heart does not receive the blood it needs to function properly.
Cholesterol and Lipids
Your liver creates most of the cholesterol in your body. You gain the rest through the food you eat. The bloodstream transports cholesterol from the gut to the cells of the body. Cholesterol is necessary for cell membrane structure, as well as creation of hormones like estrogen and testosterone, and for metabolizing vitamins A, D, E and K. Cholesterol is a fat-like substance, insoluble in the watery plasma of blood. The body overcomes this by packaging cholesterol onto lipoproteins, such as LDL and HDL.
Levels
You should not have anything to eat or drink for nine to 12 hours before having your blood tested for cholesterol and triglycerides. Total cholesterol over 240 mg/dL is high. Triglycerides over 200 mg/dL are elevated. Dyslipidemia may also involve low HDL, or good cholesterol, levels. A man with HDL levels below 40 mg/dL has low HDL, as does a woman with HDL levels below 50 mg/dL.
Treatment
A diet that is high in saturated fat and cholesterol is the main reason for high blood cholesterol levels, according to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute. A person with CAD or hyperlipidemia should immediately begin a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet. Lose weight. Exercise is an important part of lowering cholesterol levels, but it may be risky for a person suffering from CAD. Talk to your doctor before beginning any exercise regimen. Medicines like niacin and statins reduce cholesterol levels, and your doctor may suggest daily aspirin or beta-blockers, nitroglycerin or other drugs to treat your CAD.
