Types of dyslipidemia describe different patterns of abnormal blood lipid levels:
- Hypercholesterolemia
- Characterized by elevated total cholesterol, LDL-C (“bad” cholesterol), or both.
- Increases the risk of atherosclerosis, coronary artery disease, and stroke.
- Hypertriglyceridemia
- Defined by high triglyceride levels in the blood.
- Can contribute to pancreatitis and also increase cardiovascular risk.
- Low HDL-C
- Refers to reduced HDL cholesterol (“good” cholesterol).
- HDL helps remove cholesterol from arteries, so low levels are associated with higher risk of heart disease.
- Mixed Dyslipidemia
- Involves multiple lipid abnormalities, such as high cholesterol and high triglycerides simultaneously.
- Often associated with metabolic syndrome, obesity, and insulin resistance, and carries a higher overall cardiovascular risk.
Understanding the type of dyslipidemia is important for targeted treatment, including lifestyle modification and, if needed, medications like statins, fibrates, or omega-3 fatty acids.
