High blood cholesterol and triglycerides
Definition
The medical term for high blood cholesterol and triglycerides is lipid disorder. Such a disorder occurs when you have too many fatty substances in your blood. These substances include cholesterol and triglycerides.
A lipid disorder increases your risk for atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Alternative Names
Lipid disorders; Hyperlipoproteinemia; Hyperlipidemia; Dyslipidemia; HypercholesterolemiaCauses
High cholesterol and other lipid disorders can be inherited (passed down through families) or associated with:
- Fatty diets
- Disease such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome, and kidney failure
- Certain medications, including birth control pills, estrogen, corticosteroids, certain diuretics, and beta-blockers
- Lifestyle factors, including inactivity and regular, excessive alcohol use
If you smoke and also have high cholesterol you have an even greater risk for heart disease.
Lipid disorders are more common in men than women.
References
Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive Summary of the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III).JAMA. 2001;285:2486-2497.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by
URAC, also known as the American
Accreditation HealthCare Commission. URAC's accreditation program is
the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and
accountability, verified by independent audit.
The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 2005 A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.