Word parts
What it means
Too much LDL ("bad") cholesterol, total cholesterol or triglycerides, or too little HDL ("good") cholesterol. It causes no symptoms on its own, but over years it builds fatty plaques in arteries (atherosclerosisath-er-oh-skluh-ROH-sisA buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.ather/o fatty pastescler/o hard-osis conditionFull entry ) and raises the risk of heart attack and stroke. Diet, exercise, weight loss and statin drugs such as atorvastatinuh-tor-vuh-STAT-inA statin drug that lowers LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart attack and stroke.Full entry treat it.
For the nurse
A lipid panel is usually drawn after a 9 to 12 hour fast if triglycerides are being measured. Teach a diet low in saturated and trans fats and high in fiber.
At a glance
| Spanish | hiperlipidemia |
|---|---|
| Also written | hyperlipidaemia |
Related terms
coronary artery disease
Narrowing of the arteries that supply blood to the heart muscle, most often from fatty plaque buildup.
atherosclerosis
A buildup of fatty deposits (plaque) inside the walls of the arteries.
atorvastatin
A statin drug that lowers LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart attack and stroke.
simvastatin
A statin drug that lowers LDL cholesterol and the risk of heart disease.