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.
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.
Insulin resistance
Insulin resistance or Metabolic syndrome is a condition where the body's insulin is not properly utilized. This condition also called Syndrome X is often called impaired fasting glucose (IFG) or Pre-diabetes. In an attempt to compensate the insulin resistance, the body produces extra insulin that leads directly or indirectly to the metabolic abnormalities.
Causes for Syndrome X
Obesity metabolic syndrome: A large waistline or abdominal obesity, which generally is 40 inches or more for men and 35 inches or more for women.
Physical inactivity: Metabolic syndrome is associated with sedentary lifestyles like adipose tissue, reduced HDL cholesterol, increased triglycerides (fat found in blood), blood pressure and glucose in the genetically susceptible.
Aging: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome increases with age.
Diabetes Mellitus: Metabolic syndrome is found in large majority of patients with Type-2 diabetes or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
Coronary Heart Disease: Patients with coronary heart disease are at higher risk of developing metabolic syndrome.
Tackling Metabolic Resistance
Physical activity for at least 30 to 60 minutes a day is generally recommended. Losing weight is imperative to dealing with metabolic syndrome. Follow a healthy diet. Insulin resistance is increased by smoking cigarettes. part from weight loss and exercise, few drugs are also prescribed to reduce the LDL cholesterol levels. Drugs prescribed for this kind of treatment include statin, a fibrate drug or a combination of a statin with either niacin or a fibrate.
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