Physical examination shows abnormal blood lipids, is there something wrong with your body? If you have these symptoms, check as soon as possible...

Expert of this article: Zhao Jing, attending physician, Department of Geriatrics, Third Medical Center, PLA General Hospital

This article was reviewed by: Li Jiehui, Associate Chief Physician, Fuwai Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Many friends found that their blood lipids were abnormal when they received their physical examination reports.

You should know that dyslipidemia is a relatively common lipoprotein metabolism disorder, with a prevalence rate as high as 40.40% among the adult population in my country.

So, what health risks does abnormal blood lipids indicate? What are the symptoms? And how to treat it? Let's take a look.

What is dyslipidemia?

Blood lipids mainly refer to lipid substances in the blood, which are mainly composed of triglycerides and cholesterol; the latter is mainly composed of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which are the basic substances for cell metabolism.

Among them, triglycerides are mainly involved in the body's energy metabolism, while cholesterol is involved in the synthesis of certain cell structures and steroid hormones.

Dyslipidemia usually refers to elevated cholesterol and/or triglycerides in plasma (i.e., hyperlipidemia), but also includes phenomena such as decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol.

Dyslipidemia is detected by blood tests. Before the blood test, the patient needs to fast (fast for 12-24 hours), avoid high-fat foods and alcohol in the last meal. The main tests are plasma or serum total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C).

Why does dyslipidemia occur?

Regardless of the disease, if it causes abnormalities in lipid sources, lipoprotein synthesis, key enzymes in the metabolic process, or obstacles in the receptor pathway of the degradation process, it may cause abnormal blood lipids.

Dyslipidemia is divided into primary dyslipidemia and secondary dyslipidemia. Secondary dyslipidemia is more common in clinical practice.

Secondary dyslipidemia is mostly caused by systemic diseases: such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, liver and kidney diseases, Cushing's syndrome, systemic lupus erythematosus, myeloma, excessive drinking, etc.).

At the same time, it may also be caused by certain drug interactions (such as thiazide diuretics, beta-receptor antagonists, long-term and excessive use of glucocorticoids, etc.).

The cause of primary dyslipidemia is usually unclear. Most experts believe that it may be caused by the interaction between gene mutations/defects and environmental factors (obesity, age, smoking, alcoholism, lack of physical activity, poor eating habits, etc.).

What are the symptoms of dyslipidemia?

Abnormal blood lipids generally do not cause obvious discomfort and are often found during blood tests. However, it can gradually cause atherosclerosis, xanthomas, premature corneal rings, and lipidemia fundus changes.

The prevalence of dyslipidemia increases with age. The peak incidence is generally around 50-70 years old, and some rare familial hereditary dyslipidemia may also occur during infancy.

What problems may dyslipidemia cause?

Dyslipidemia and its interaction with other cardiovascular risk factors can lead to atherosclerosis and increase cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.

Increased plasma total cholesterol and triglycerides are high-risk factors for coronary heart disease. Moreover, cholesterol can be divided into low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol; but the effects of the two on the cardiovascular system are completely opposite. The former is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, while the latter can have a protective effect.

In addition, severe hypertriglyceridemia (over 10mmol/L) can cause acute pancreatitis, and severe hypercholesterolemia may cause migratory polyarthritis.

However, although hyperlipidemia is very harmful to the body, low blood lipids can also lead to adverse effects. In addition to malnutrition, cholesterol is also an indispensable basic substance for the body to synthesize glucocorticoids, mineralocorticoids and sex hormones.

How to treat dyslipidemia?

The disease generally has a good prognosis, and the goal of treatment is to reduce the morbidity and mortality of cardiovascular disease.

① Actively treat the primary disease: such as diabetes and thyroid functional diseases.

②Lifestyle intervention is the first and basic treatment measure.

Control your diet: Reduce the intake of saturated fatty acids and cholesterol in your diet, and supplement with plant sterols and soluble fiber. Control your weight and maintain a suitable BMI. Quit smoking, limit alcohol and salt intake.

③Lipid-lowering drugs can be used at the same time, but the indications need to be strictly followed. Plasma purification and surgical treatment can also be considered when necessary. Gene therapy is still under exploration.

In conclusion

Adjust your lifestyle, eat a balanced diet, and have regular medical checkups

Increase physical exercise and activity

Reduce the incidence of dyslipidemia

Comprehensive treatment should be actively carried out

Lowering low-density lipoprotein is the goal of prevention and treatment

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