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.
Lipoprotein (a) Test
Lipoprotein (a) is synthesized by the liver and is responsible for the initial onset of cardiovascular disease. It is generally found in the inner arterial lining leading to the accumulation of plaque and formation of atherosclerotic particles. This process occurs due to the initiation of foam cell accumulation which gradually leads to the formation of plaque in the coronary arteries. Lipoprotein (a) test is prescribed to analyze the probabilities of premature cardiovascular disease incidence.
Lipid profile under normal or slightly elevated values may have an underlying risk indicating the development of a cardiovascular condition which can be specifically determined by estimating the blood lipoprotein (a) value. The occurrence of lipoprotein (a) levels is a genetic cause which induces the onset of cardiovascular disease. The lifestyle of an individual in relation to cardiovascular disease is not an important factor for the increased lipoprotein (a) values. Lipoprotein (a) has structural similarity with blood clotting factors such as plasminogen which can lead to the formation of blood clots. Increased LDL values may associate with lipoprotein (a) in facilitating cardiovascular disease. The normal value of lipoprotein (a) is 30mg/dl. The test for lipoprotein is usually taken after 12 hours fasting.
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