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Table of Contents
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosis
Treatment
Hyperlipidemia is a common condition that occurs when there are too many fats (called lipids) in your blood. Cholesterol and triglycerides are two types of fat that can build up in the arteries, restricting blood flow and increasing your chances ofheart disease,stroke, or other health issues.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Having hyperlipidemia alone won’t make you feel sick, so many people do not realize their cholesterol and triglycerides are too high until their healthcare provider diagnoses it from routine lab results. On rare occasions, hyperlipidemia can lead to xanthomas, which are yellowish fat nodules forming under the skin near the eyes, elbows, hands, buttocks, or knees.Other uncommon manifestations include an enlarged liver or spleen, or pale rings around the iris in the eye.
If left uncontrolled, hyperlipidemia can lead to other serious issues that are more noticeable, includingheart attackandblood clots. There is also an association with high blood pressure.
Having high levels of triglycerides along with high LDL cholesterol can increase your risk of stroke and heart attack.
While excess lipids can put you at risk for cardiovascular disease, they also play an important role in your body’s function. Cholesterol is a type of waxy fat that your body makes in the liver or that you absorb from foods. It’s a critical building block for the body’s cells and is vital in producing hormones and digestive fluids.
Triglyercides are a type of fat that provides energy for cell function as well as the metabolism of alcohol. They are released into your bloodstream from food that contains fat and from fat stores in the body.Triglycerides also come from eating excess calories, particularly calories from carbohydrates—calories that the body does not use immediately get turned into triglycerides and stored.
The risk of heart disease increases when a high level of circulating lipids become attached to low-density lipoproteins (LDL cholesterol, known as “bad cholesterol”) or very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL). LDL carries cholesterol to your tissues while VLDL carries mainly triglycerides to your tissues. Both LDL and VLDL cholesterol contribute to the buildup of plaque in the arteries. That plaque, made up of fat, cholesterol, calcium, and other matter, hardens and narrows the arteries.
On the other hand, cholesterol attached to high-density lipoprotein (HDL cholesterol) represents excess cholesterol that is being removed from the tissues. For this reason, HDL cholesterol is known as “good cholesterol.”
Over time, the build-up of cholesterol-laden plaques can lead to heart attacks, strokes, or blood clots.
Family History
You share a lot with your family members. Your genetic makeup can impact your risks for certain health conditions known to contribute to hyperlipidemia, such as obesity or diabetes. Your family can also shape many of your behaviors and choices, especially when it comes to diet and exercise. As a result, if you have relatives with a history of hyperlipidemia, you are more likely to develop it, too.
Certain genetic conditions can leave you predisposed to having hyperlipidemia, including:
Age and Sex
As you age, it gets harder for your body to clear excess cholesterol from the blood, and easier for risky levels to build up. Someone’s sex can also play a role. Men, on average, tend to have less “good” cholesterol than women, while women (especially under 55 years old) often have less “bad” cholesterol.
The older you get, the more likely you are to be diagnosed with hyperlipidemia, but younger generations aren’t immune.
In some cases, children with sedentary lifestyles and poor diets can develop hyperlipidemia. Diabetes, obesity, kidney disease, and some thyroid diseases can also cause high cholesterol and high levels of triglycerides in kids and teenagers.
Medical Conditions
Having certain medical conditions has been shown to increase your risk of having abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels:
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Medications
Medications might also increase the likelihood of developing hyperlipidemia. Taking meds like beta-blockers,diuretics(water pills), certain birth control pills, or some anti-depressants may contribute to increased blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Health Behaviors
Certain lifestyle decisions can impact your cholesterol and triglyceride levels, including what you eat, how often you exercise, and whether you smoke.
Hyperlipidemia doesn’t cause any physical signs or symptoms of the condition, so your healthcare provider must rely on blood tests to spot it. The most common way to diagnose high cholesterol is with a lipid panel.
Lipid Panel
A simple blood test called alipid panelcan be used to check the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood. The test uses a blood draw taken after fasting for roughly 12 hours.
Blood Levels That May Lead to DiagnosisTotal cholesterol is over 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)LDL cholesterol is over 100 mg/dLHDL cholesterol is under 60 mg/dLTriglycerides are over 150 mg/dL
Blood Levels That May Lead to Diagnosis
Total cholesterol is over 200 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter)LDL cholesterol is over 100 mg/dLHDL cholesterol is under 60 mg/dLTriglycerides are over 150 mg/dL
If your blood work comes back normal, your healthcare provider might want to run the tests periodically—every four to six years or so—to keep tabs on any trends signaling your cholesterol and triglyceride levels are on the rise.
While a total cholesterol count over 200 mg/dL generally indicates high cholesterol, your healthcare provider might take other factors into consideration (like age and medical history) before making a diagnosis based on your results. Your healthcare provider will then use your results to set cholesterol level goals with you, as well as formulate your treatment plan.
What is a Healthy Cholesterol Level By Age?
Lifestyle Changes
Body Mass IndexThe most commonly used measure to correlate weight and height is the body mass index (BMI). It uses weight and height to try and estimate body fat. The resulting number is then used to categorize people as underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, or morbidly obese. BMI is not perfect, however, and does not account for other factors that determine body composition like age, muscle mass, or sex. BMI calculations may, for example, overestimate body fat in athletes or in older people. Additionally, BMI can also stigmatize and shame people who do not meet what is considered an ideal weight or body shape.
Body Mass Index
The most commonly used measure to correlate weight and height is the body mass index (BMI). It uses weight and height to try and estimate body fat. The resulting number is then used to categorize people as underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese, or morbidly obese. BMI is not perfect, however, and does not account for other factors that determine body composition like age, muscle mass, or sex. BMI calculations may, for example, overestimate body fat in athletes or in older people. Additionally, BMI can also stigmatize and shame people who do not meet what is considered an ideal weight or body shape.
In general, these medications are typically only prescribed if you have already had or are at an increased risk for heart attack or stroke, have very high LDL cholesterol levels (190+ mg/dL), or have certain risk factors like diabetes in combination with LDL cholesterol levels above 70 mg/dL. However, only slightly more than half of the individuals who need these medications actually get them.
Hypercholesterolemia vs Hyperlipidemia: What Are the Differences?
A Word From Verywell
Hyperlipidemia can significantly increase your chances of having serious heart issues, including heart attack and stroke. While some risk factors (like your genes or family history) are outside of your control, there are many things you can do to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels if they are already high.
Because people with hyperlipidemia often don’t have any symptoms, it’s important to ask your healthcare provider about routine screening and about how often you should be tested based on your current or past health history.
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18 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zaremba J, Zaczkiewicz A, Placek W.Eruptive xanthomas.Advances in Dermatology and Allergology. 2013;6:399-402. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.39439Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting Your Cholesterol Checked.Cleveland Clinic.Triglycerides.MedlinePlus.VLDL Cholesterol.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Knowing Your Risk for High Cholesterol.MedlinePlus.Familial hypercholesterolemia. U.S. National Library of Medicine.MedlinePlus.High Cholesterol in Children and Teens.MedlinePlus.High blood cholesterol levels.MedlinePlus.Triglycerides Test.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing High Cholesterol.Mann S, Beedie C, Jimenez A.Differential Effects of Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Training and Combined Exercise Modalities on Cholesterol and the Lipid Profile: Review, Synthesis and Recommendations. Sports Medicine. 2013;44(2):211-221. doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0110-5American Heart Association.Body Mass Index (BMI) in Adults.Gutin I. In BMI We Trust: Reframing the Body Mass Index as a Measure of Health.Soc Theory Health. 2018;16(3):256-271. doi:10.1057/s41285-017-0055-0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cholesterol-lowering Medicine.American Heart Association.Cholesterol Medications.Wang X, Wen D, Chen Y, Ma L, You C.PCSK9 inhibitors for secondary prevention in patients with cardiovascular diseases: a bayesian network meta-analysis.Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2022;21(1):107. doi:10.1186/s12933-022-01542-4Niacin in Patients with Low HDL Cholesterol Levels Receiving Intensive Statin Therapy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;365(24):2255-2267. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1107579Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.High Cholesterol Facts.Additional ReadingAmerican Heart Association.What Are High Blood Cholesterol and Triglycerides?Benjamin E, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2018 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2018;137:e67-e492. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000558Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vital Signs: Prevalence, Treatment, and Control of High Levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.
18 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Zaremba J, Zaczkiewicz A, Placek W.Eruptive xanthomas.Advances in Dermatology and Allergology. 2013;6:399-402. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.39439Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting Your Cholesterol Checked.Cleveland Clinic.Triglycerides.MedlinePlus.VLDL Cholesterol.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Knowing Your Risk for High Cholesterol.MedlinePlus.Familial hypercholesterolemia. U.S. National Library of Medicine.MedlinePlus.High Cholesterol in Children and Teens.MedlinePlus.High blood cholesterol levels.MedlinePlus.Triglycerides Test.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing High Cholesterol.Mann S, Beedie C, Jimenez A.Differential Effects of Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Training and Combined Exercise Modalities on Cholesterol and the Lipid Profile: Review, Synthesis and Recommendations. Sports Medicine. 2013;44(2):211-221. doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0110-5American Heart Association.Body Mass Index (BMI) in Adults.Gutin I. In BMI We Trust: Reframing the Body Mass Index as a Measure of Health.Soc Theory Health. 2018;16(3):256-271. doi:10.1057/s41285-017-0055-0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cholesterol-lowering Medicine.American Heart Association.Cholesterol Medications.Wang X, Wen D, Chen Y, Ma L, You C.PCSK9 inhibitors for secondary prevention in patients with cardiovascular diseases: a bayesian network meta-analysis.Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2022;21(1):107. doi:10.1186/s12933-022-01542-4Niacin in Patients with Low HDL Cholesterol Levels Receiving Intensive Statin Therapy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;365(24):2255-2267. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1107579Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.High Cholesterol Facts.Additional ReadingAmerican Heart Association.What Are High Blood Cholesterol and Triglycerides?Benjamin E, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2018 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2018;137:e67-e492. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000558Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vital Signs: Prevalence, Treatment, and Control of High Levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Zaremba J, Zaczkiewicz A, Placek W.Eruptive xanthomas.Advances in Dermatology and Allergology. 2013;6:399-402. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.39439Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting Your Cholesterol Checked.Cleveland Clinic.Triglycerides.MedlinePlus.VLDL Cholesterol.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Knowing Your Risk for High Cholesterol.MedlinePlus.Familial hypercholesterolemia. U.S. National Library of Medicine.MedlinePlus.High Cholesterol in Children and Teens.MedlinePlus.High blood cholesterol levels.MedlinePlus.Triglycerides Test.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing High Cholesterol.Mann S, Beedie C, Jimenez A.Differential Effects of Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Training and Combined Exercise Modalities on Cholesterol and the Lipid Profile: Review, Synthesis and Recommendations. Sports Medicine. 2013;44(2):211-221. doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0110-5American Heart Association.Body Mass Index (BMI) in Adults.Gutin I. In BMI We Trust: Reframing the Body Mass Index as a Measure of Health.Soc Theory Health. 2018;16(3):256-271. doi:10.1057/s41285-017-0055-0Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cholesterol-lowering Medicine.American Heart Association.Cholesterol Medications.Wang X, Wen D, Chen Y, Ma L, You C.PCSK9 inhibitors for secondary prevention in patients with cardiovascular diseases: a bayesian network meta-analysis.Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2022;21(1):107. doi:10.1186/s12933-022-01542-4Niacin in Patients with Low HDL Cholesterol Levels Receiving Intensive Statin Therapy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;365(24):2255-2267. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1107579Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.High Cholesterol Facts.
Zaremba J, Zaczkiewicz A, Placek W.Eruptive xanthomas.Advances in Dermatology and Allergology. 2013;6:399-402. doi:10.5114/pdia.2013.39439
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Getting Your Cholesterol Checked.
Cleveland Clinic.Triglycerides.
MedlinePlus.VLDL Cholesterol.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Knowing Your Risk for High Cholesterol.
MedlinePlus.Familial hypercholesterolemia. U.S. National Library of Medicine.
MedlinePlus.High Cholesterol in Children and Teens.
MedlinePlus.High blood cholesterol levels.
MedlinePlus.Triglycerides Test.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Preventing High Cholesterol.
Mann S, Beedie C, Jimenez A.Differential Effects of Aerobic Exercise, Resistance Training and Combined Exercise Modalities on Cholesterol and the Lipid Profile: Review, Synthesis and Recommendations. Sports Medicine. 2013;44(2):211-221. doi:10.1007/s40279-013-0110-5
American Heart Association.Body Mass Index (BMI) in Adults.
Gutin I. In BMI We Trust: Reframing the Body Mass Index as a Measure of Health.Soc Theory Health. 2018;16(3):256-271. doi:10.1057/s41285-017-0055-0
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Cholesterol-lowering Medicine.
American Heart Association.Cholesterol Medications.
Wang X, Wen D, Chen Y, Ma L, You C.PCSK9 inhibitors for secondary prevention in patients with cardiovascular diseases: a bayesian network meta-analysis.Cardiovasc Diabetol. 2022;21(1):107. doi:10.1186/s12933-022-01542-4
Niacin in Patients with Low HDL Cholesterol Levels Receiving Intensive Statin Therapy. New England Journal of Medicine. 2011;365(24):2255-2267. doi:10.1056/nejmoa1107579
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.High Cholesterol Facts.
American Heart Association.What Are High Blood Cholesterol and Triglycerides?Benjamin E, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2018 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2018;137:e67-e492. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000558Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vital Signs: Prevalence, Treatment, and Control of High Levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.
American Heart Association.What Are High Blood Cholesterol and Triglycerides?
Benjamin E, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2018 Update: A Report From the American Heart Association.Circulation. 2018;137:e67-e492. doi:10.1161/CIR.0000000000000558
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Vital Signs: Prevalence, Treatment, and Control of High Levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.
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