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Hyperlipoproteinemia

Hyperlipoproteinemia

Too much of lipid and/or lipoproteins in the blood can lead to hyperlipoproteinemia. Hyperlipoproteinemia is also known as hyperlipemia or hyperlipidemia and is a metabolic disorder. This disease remains silent for years together; only when the person suffers any heart ailment does this condition come to light. Heredity and diet play a major role in the onset of this disease; hereditary blood fat disorders are the main cause for hyperlipoproteinemia.

Other common conditions that can cause this condition are diabetes, liver and kidney disease, hypothyroidism, alcohol and cigarette smoking. Few medications like progesterone, beta blockers, etc also increase the fat level in the bloodstream. If left unattended or untreated hyperlipoproteinemia can lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. This condition is common in adults rather than in children and can occur both in men and women. Depending on the excessive chemical found in the blood stream, hyperlipoproteinemia can be classified into five types:

Type I – Elevation of triglycerides

Type II – Elevated cholesterol and in few cases elevated triglycerides

Type III – Elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels with subsequent vascular diseases

Type IV – Elevated triglycerides alone but no risk of vascular diseases

Type V – Similar to type I

No specific symptoms are shown for hyperlipoproteinemia. In very rare cases when the fat level in the blood shoots up too high, fat gets deposited in the form of bumps in the skin and tendons, this is referred to as xanthomas. In few cases, the liver and spleen enlarge when the triglycerides level shoot up too high. This leads to pancreatitis causing severe abdominal pain. The diagnosis of hyperlipoproteinemia can be made by measuring the triglycerides, total cholesterol, lipid profile, LDL and the HDL levels in the blood.

Patients should consume a healthy low-fat or fat-free diet. They should avoid saturated fat and polyunsaturated fat.
Monounsaturated fat like olive oil is recommended and is the healthiest option.
Medications are also prescribed to bring down the LDL, HDL levels and the cholesterol levels in the blood.
Doctors would advice the person to lose weight if obese.
Physical activity is also be recommended.
Plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables should be consumed.
Food items like oatmeal, oat bran, rice bran, citrus fruits, rice bran, strawberries, apple pulp, beans and peas should be consumed.

High Triglyceride

Triglycerides are vital to various cells functions and determine the amount of reserve energy that our body can offer. Triglycerides come from food and are also produced by the body. High blood triglyceride (hypertriglyceridemia) is a lipid disorder. High triglyceride levels are usually accompanied by high total blood cholesterol levels. Blood triglyceride levels are indicative of a person's susceptibility to various diseases such as hypertension, heart attack, cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis. High levels of triglycerides increase the risk of diabetes and pancreatitis. Blood triglyceride levels of around 150 200 mg/dL are considered normal. While high triglyceride levels are those above 200 mg/dL, those having triglyceride levels greater than 499 mg/dL are at high risk. High triglyceride levels also put a person at increased risk of thrombosis.

Blood triglyceride levels are measured with a blood test after abstaining from food for 12 hours and alcohol for 72 hours before testing. Drugs such as fibrates are often prescribed to reduce elevated levels of triglycerides and cholesterol. Tips to lower triglyceride:

Losing excess weight

Regular exercise regimen

Reducing caloric intake especially fatty foods

Restricting alcohol intake

Cardiologist

Cardiologists are physicians who diagnose and treat ailments related to the cardiovascular system that comprises of the heart, arteries, and veins. Pediatric cardiologist is a physician who focuses on diagnosing and treating heart problems in infants, children and young adults. Cardiologists specialize in treatment of angina (chest pain), heart attack, heart failure, high blood pressure and irregular heart beats. A cardiologist has to complete medical school and undergo residency in internal medicine for a period of three years. Further three years of specialization in the field of cardiology is required. For pediatric cardiologists a specialization in pediatrics is required prior to cardiology specialization. Cardiologists are specialists who provide complete heart care; they can determine the working condition of a person's heart by means of different tests. The responsibilities of the cardiologist include:

The primary function of a cardiologist is to check on how well a person's heart is working.

They determine this by asking for various tests like the treadmill test (exercise electrocardiogram), and through procedures like angioplasty , cardiac catheterization etc.

They offer treatments for the diagnosed heart diseases through interventional cardiology like angioplasty, where a mechanical device is used to set right the problem in the heart.

They use electrophysiology that helps in treating the electrical functioning of the heart.

They also have the additional responsibility of keeping control over the factors that determine the health of the heart such as blood pressure and cholesterol levels. These levels in the blood of a person are kept under control thus keeping the heart comfortably functioning.

Modern techniques used in the field of cardiology

With the advancement in the field of medicine, cardiologists have the access to the latest technologies like:

Auscultation: A stethoscope is used to identify and detect heart abnormalities and murmur in the heart.

Echocardiography: Ultrasonic waves are used to visualize the heart.

Electrocardiography: EKG instruments are used to monitor the electrical activity of the heart.

Holter monitor: Records the EKG for 24 hours and more non-stop.

Modern blood tests: Determining the levels of HDL, LDL, triglycerides, homocysteine, and C-reactive protein helps in easy identification of heart problems.

Stress testing: Determines the levels of stress and cardiac function of the heart.

Coronary catheterization: Functioning of the heart is determined by inserting catheter into the heart.