What should I know about Hyperlipidemia?
If your health professional says you have hyperlipidemia, this simply means the amount of fat in your blood is higher than it should be. (“Hyper” means high; “lipid” is another word for fat or fat-like substance; “emia” refers to the blood.) Although high cholesterol is the most famous form of hyperlipidemia, blood fats include more than just cholesterol. Triglycerides, phospholipids, and other fatty substances circulate continuously through the bloodstream on their way to and from organs and tissues. High blood cholesterol gets the most attention because of the link between cholesterol and heart disease. Cholesterol has received a great deal of press, and medical experts agree that high blood cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. But cholesterol is not an enemy. The body needs cholesterol and manufactures its own supply. Essential for life, cholesterol plays many important roles. Cholesterol, along with other fats, is a key component of cells membranes. The body uses cholest
