Lipid Disorders - Acquired
Alternate Names : Acquired Hyperlipoproteinemia, High Blood Cholesterol, High Blood Triglycerides, High Cholesterol, High Triglycerides, Hyperlipidemia
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Treatment
The goal of therapy is to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease through therapy aimed at lowering the blood lipid levels.
Dietary modification is the initial step in treatment for most patients with mild to moderate hyperlipidemia. For overweight individuals, weight reduction to ideal body weight is recommended. Reduction of total calories, cholesterol, and saturated fat is appropriate for most people. The degree of dietary restriction is proportional to the degree of the hyperlipidemia.
If there is no improvement in lipid blood levels within 2 months after maximal dietary modification, or if the initial cholesterol level is severely elevated, drug therapy is generally initiated.
The type of drug chosen depends upon the type of lipoprotein elevated in the serum. Several types of medications are available. Bile sequestrant resins, cholestyramine, colestipol, and nicotinic acid are drugs that may be prescribed for mild to moderate hyperlipidemia.
The class of drugs prescribed for the most common cause of hyperlipidemia is the HMG-coA reductase inhibitors. These drugs, also known as the statins, are prescribed for patients with elevated LDL levels.
Most patients with a history of heart attack or high risk for heart attack who have high cholesterol, should be prescribed one of these medications. The statins have been shown in studies to reduce death from heart attacks in patients with a history of coronary artery disease.
DON'T STOP TAKING PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION WITHOUT CONSULTING YOUR HEALTH CARE PROVIDER.
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