K.N.O.W. Home Health - DISLIPIDEMIA

DYSLIPIDEMIA

✅ What is Dyslipidemia?

Dyslipidemia means the levels of fat (lipids) in your blood are not normal. These fats include:

LDL cholesterol – often called "bad" cholesterol
HDL cholesterol – often called "good" cholesterol
Triglycerides – another type of fat in your blood

When these levels are too high or too low, it can lead to clogged arteries, which may cause heart disease, heart attack, or stroke over time.

🔍 What Causes Dyslipidemia?

Eating too many fried, fatty, or sugary foods
Lack of exercise
Being overweight
Smoking
Diabetes
Certain medicines
It may also run in your family

🤒 Symptoms

Most people with dyslipidemia don’t have any symptoms.
You may feel perfectly fine, even though your cholesterol or triglyceride levels are not healthy.

That’s why regular blood tests are important to check your levels.

🥗 Diet and Lifestyle Considerations

To help manage dyslipidemia:

Eat more fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grains
Choose lean meats like chicken or turkey
Avoid fried foods, fatty meats, and processed snacks
Cut down on sugar and soda
Drink plenty of water
Exercise most days of the week (ask your doctor what is safe for you)
Do not smoke
Take your medicine exactly as your doctor tells you

⚠️ Precautions

Get your cholesterol and triglycerides checked regularly
Do not skip your medications
Watch your blood pressure and blood sugar
Keep a healthy weight
Report any side effects from medications to your nurse or doctor
Follow your diet plan and ask questions when unsure

👩‍⚕️ When to Call Your Home Health Nurse or Doctor

Call your nurse or doctor if you:

Feel weak, dizzy, or tired often
Have muscle pain (which may be a side effect of some cholesterol medications)
Have trouble breathing during normal activity
Notice swelling in your legs or feet
Are confused about your diet or medication schedule

🚨 Go to the Emergency Room if:

You have chest pain or pressure
You feel short of breath all of a sudden
You have numbness or weakness on one side of your body
You have slurred speech
You feel like you might faint or pass out

These may be signs of a heart attack or stroke.

📝 Patient Homework / Assessment

Circle “True” or “False”

True / False – Dyslipidemia means your blood fat levels are not normal.
True / False – LDL is known as the “good” cholesterol.
True / False – HDL is the “bad” cholesterol.
True / False – Triglycerides are another kind of fat in the blood.
True / False – You can always feel symptoms if you have dyslipidemia.
True / False – Eating fruits and vegetables can help lower bad cholesterol.
True / False – It’s okay to eat fried foods and sugary snacks often if you take medicine.
True / False – Exercise can help control blood fat levels.
True / False – You should take your medicine only when you feel bad.
True / False – Water is better than soda for managing dyslipidemia.
True / False – Smoking helps improve cholesterol levels.
True / False – You should get your cholesterol and triglyceride levels checked.
True / False – Side effects from medicine should be reported to your nurse or doctor.
True / False – You should always skip your medicine if you feel fine.
True / False – Chest pain and slurred speech are signs of a possible emergency.
True / False – It's okay to stop your diet plan if your levels are normal one time.
True / False – Some people get dyslipidemia from their family history.
True / False – Weakness and dizziness should be reported to your home health nurse.
True / False – Lean meats like chicken and turkey are better than fatty meats.
True / False – Drinking plenty of water and avoiding processed foods can help.

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

Symptom Identification:

Have you experienced chest discomfort, shortness of breath, or other symptoms that might suggest heart problems, even if mild?

Activity Impact/SAFETY:

Do your energy levels or physical activity get affected by your condition, and do you know safe ways to stay active?

Treatment Adherence:

Are you taking your prescribed cholesterol-lowering medications as directed and following your doctor’s advice on diet and exercise?

Preventive Measures:

Are you monitoring your diet, avoiding high-fat foods, exercising regularly, and attending regular check-ups to prevent heart disease or complications?