What is dyslipidemia?

It is the alteration of the fats in the blood. Excess fat (cholesterol) in the blood causes a disease called atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis is an accumulation of fat in the arteries, which causes decrease in the caliber and therefore decreases the arrival of blood to organs such as the brain and kidney. High cholesterol combined with other risk factors such as smoking, high blood pressure or diabetes mellitus, increase the possibility of suffering a heart attack or stroke.

There is another type of fat, called triglycerides, which at very high levels can cause inflammation of the pancreas.

What are the causes?
High cholesterol has many causes, but the main cause is the sedentary lifestyle, as well as overweight and obesity; food high in carbohydrates, flours and refined fats or alcohol.

It can be accompanied by diabetes mellitus, kidney diseases, thyroid diseases, genetic and hereditary disorders.

How is it diagnosed?
The rise of cholesterol and triglycerides is asymptomatic and the levels can be known by a blood test. And although there is no universal value considered normal, it is accepted that total cholesterol should be less than 200mg / dl and triglycerides less than 150mg / dl.

How can it be prevented?
• The most important thing is to have healthy lifestyle habits, with regular physical activity.
• Maintain a normal weight
• Limit alcohol consumption
• Eat a balanced diet.
• Decrease the consumption of sugars, flours and refined fats.
Which is the treatment?
Once the cholesterol and triglycerides are high, it has been shown that regular physical activity decreases blood levels of these.
There also medications available that lower cholesterol, and it is most effective because they prevent the progression of atherosclerotic disease, and decrease the risk of heart attack, stroke and death.

To know the risk of cardiovascular disease of each person, it is necessary to visit the doctor who will do a blood test, and interpret it correctly to decide the best treatmet in each case.

At Gran Alacant family doctors we have a health unit with multilingual and multicultural professionals at your service. Located on Calle Holanda 9, MASA Square, Gran Alacant

To make an appointment, call T: 865 789 554 or visit our website www.familydoctors24h.com