What is Hyperlipidemia?
Hyperlipidemia is a condition in which there are too many lipids (fats), such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood. High levels of cholesterol and triglycerides can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke.
There are two types of hyperlipidemia: primary and secondary. Primary hyperlipidemia is caused by genetics and lifestyle factors, such as diet and physical inactivity. Secondary hyperlipidemia is caused by underlying medical conditions, such as diabetes or kidney disease, or by certain medications.
To diagnose hyperlipidemia, a healthcare provider will typically order a lipid panel, which measures the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood. If the levels are higher than normal, the provider may recommend lifestyle changes, such as eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly, and/or medication to help lower the levels. It is important to follow the recommended treatment plan to help reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke.
What Medications are available to treat high cholesterol?
There are several medications that can help lower cholesterol levels in the blood:
Statins: Statins are a type of cholesterol-lowering medication that work by blocking an enzyme in the liver that is needed to produce cholesterol. Examples of statins include atorvastatin (Lipitor), lovastatin (Mevacor), and simvastatin (Zocor).
Bile acid sequestrants: Bile acid sequestrants, such as cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid), work by binding to bile acids in the intestines and preventing them from being absorbed back into the body. This can help lower cholesterol levels.
Nicotinic acid: Nicotinic acid, also known as niacin, is a vitamin that can help lower cholesterol levels. It works by inhibiting the production of LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol) and increasing the production of HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol).
Fibrates: Fibrates, such as gemfibrozil (Lopid) and fenofibrate (Tricor), work by decreasing the production of triglycerides and increasing the breakdown of LDL cholesterol.
PCSK9 inhibitors: PCSK9 inhibitors, such as evolocumab (Repatha) and alirocumab (Praluent), are a newer type of cholesterol-lowering medication that work by blocking the action of a protein called PCSK9, which helps remove LDL cholesterol from the blood.
Your healthcare provider (or Dr. Krishnan) will determine the most appropriate medication based on your specific needs and medical history. It is important to follow your provider's instructions and to take the medication as prescribed.