HYPERLIPIDEMIA

What It Is

Hyperlipidemia means you have too much fat (lipids) in your blood. The most common type of fat measured is cholesterol. Cholesterol is needed for your body to work, but too much can build up in your blood vessels and cause health problems.

Causes and Risk Factors

You are more likely to have hyperlipidemia if you:

• Eat foods high in saturated fat, trans fat, or cholesterol
  
  

• Are overweight or obese
  
  

• Do not exercise regularly
  
  

• Smoke
  
  

• Have diabetes, kidney disease, or thyroid problems
  
  

• Have a family history of high cholesterol
  
  

• Are older (risk increases with age)
  
  

Signs and Symptoms

Hyperlipidemia often has no symptoms. This is why it is sometimes called a “silent” problem.
Early warning signs may not appear until damage is done, such as:

• Chest pain
  
  

• Shortness of breath
  
  

• Pain in the legs when walking
  
  

Complications if Untreated or if Patient Does Not Follow Plan

If not controlled, hyperlipidemia can lead to:

• Heart attack
  
  

• Stroke
  
  

• Narrowing of arteries (atherosclerosis)
  
  

• Poor circulation
  
  

• Death
  
  

Treatment and Self-Care Measures

Treatment can include:

• Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise, quitting smoking)
  
  

• Medications to lower cholesterol
  
  

• Regular blood tests to check cholesterol levels
  
  

Self-care steps:

• Follow a healthy eating plan
  
  

• Exercise most days of the week
  
  

• Maintain a healthy weight
  
  

• Take medications as prescribed
  
  

• Avoid smoking and limit alcohol
  
  

Common Types of Medications

• Statins (example: atorvastatin, simvastatin)
  
  

  • Purpose: Lower cholesterol production in the liver
    
    

  • Possible side effects: Muscle aches, liver problems
    
    

• Bile acid sequestrants (example: cholestyramine)
  
  

  • Purpose: Help remove cholesterol from the body
    
    

  • Possible side effects: Constipation, stomach upset
    
    

• Fibrates (example: gemfibrozil)
  
  

  • Purpose: Lower triglycerides
    
    

  • Possible side effects: Upset stomach, gallstones
    
    

• Niacin (vitamin B3)
  
  

  • Purpose: Raises good cholesterol (HDL), lowers triglycerides
    
    

  • Possible side effects: Flushing, itching, liver problems
    
    

Dietary Needs and Lifestyle Changes

• Eat more:
  
  

  • Fruits and vegetables
    
    

  • Whole grains
    
    

  • Lean proteins (fish, skinless chicken, beans)
    
    

• Eat less:
  
  

  • Fried foods
    
    

  • Red meats high in fat
    
    

  • Foods with trans fats (like packaged snacks)
    
    

• Choose healthy fats (olive oil, avocado, nuts) in small amounts
  
  

• Exercise 30 minutes a day most days of the week
  
  

• Maintain a healthy weight
  
  

• Quit smoking
  
  

Safety Considerations

• Take medications exactly as prescribed
  
  

• Report new muscle pain, weakness, or yellowing of the skin or eyes to your doctor
  
  

• Avoid grapefruit juice with certain statins (can increase side effects)
  
  

• Keep all medical appointments for lab work
  
  

Prevention and Maintenance Tips

• Keep regular check-ups
  
  

• Know your cholesterol numbers:
  
  

  • Total cholesterol: less than 200 mg/dL
    
    

  • LDL (“bad” cholesterol): less than 100 mg/dL
    
    

  • HDL (“good” cholesterol): 40 mg/dL or higher for men, 50 mg/dL or higher for women
    
    

  • Triglycerides: less than 150 mg/dL
    
    

• Follow your diet and exercise plan even if you feel fine
  
  

• Take your medicine every day as prescribed
  
  

When to Call for Help

Call your home health nurse or doctor if you have:

• Muscle pain or weakness
  
  

• Yellowing skin or eyes
  
  

• Ongoing stomach upset
  
  

• Trouble taking your medicine
  
  

• Questions about your diet or exercise
  
  

Call 911 or go to the Emergency Room if you have:

• Chest pain or pressure
  
  

• Shortness of breath
  
  

• Sudden weakness, numbness, or trouble speaking
  
  

• Sudden vision loss
  
  

• Fainting
  
  

© 2025 Judith Regan / K.N.O.W. – Knowledge for Nurturing Optimal Well-Being. All rights reserved. | Educational use only | Not a substitute for medical advice | In emergencies call 911

Patient Homework / Assessment — True or False

(Patient should circle True or False for each statement)

1. True or False: Hyperlipidemia means there is too much fat in the blood.
   
   

2. True or False: High cholesterol can be felt by pain in your stomach.
   
   

3. True or False: Eating fried and fatty foods can make hyperlipidemia worse.
   
   

4. True or False: Statin medications help lower cholesterol made by the liver.
   
   

5. True or False: High cholesterol can cause heart attacks and strokes if untreated.
   
   

6. True or False: There is no need to exercise if you are taking cholesterol medicine.
   
   

7. True or False: Grapefruit juice can cause problems with some cholesterol medicines.
   
   

8. True or False: A healthy diet for hyperlipidemia includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
   
   

9. True or False: Muscle pain can be a side effect of some cholesterol medicines.
   
   

10. True or False: Smoking can increase the risk of heart problems if you have hyperlipidemia.
    
    

11. True or False: It is important to keep all lab appointments to check cholesterol levels.
    
    

12. True or False: HDL is the “bad” cholesterol.
    
    

13. True or False: LDL is the “bad” cholesterol.
    
    

14. True or False: You should call your doctor if your skin or eyes turn yellow.
    
    

15. True or False: Cholesterol numbers are only important if you have symptoms.
    
    

16. True or False: Exercise can help raise “good” cholesterol and lower “bad” cholesterol.
    
    

17. True or False: Hyperlipidemia always causes clear warning signs early on.
    
    

18. True or False: Triglycerides are another type of fat in the blood.
    
    

19. True or False: Quitting smoking can help lower the risk of heart disease.
    
    

20. True or False: You should go to the ER if you have sudden chest pain or trouble speaking.
    
    

ASSESSMENT of WELL-BEING INDIVIDUALIZED PATIENT HOMEWORK

1. What were your last cholesterol blood test results? (Patient should be able to tell you their numbers or where to find them.)
   
   

2. What is your LDL (“bad” cholesterol) number?
   
   

3. What is your HDL (“good” cholesterol) number?
   
   

4. What is your triglyceride number?
   
   

5. What medications are you taking to control your cholesterol? (List name, dose, and time.)
   
   

6. What changes have you made in your diet and activity level to help lower your cholesterol?

7. When was your last blood test for cholesterol, and when is your next one scheduled?