What is meant by hypercholesterolemia?

Table of Contents

Hypercholesterolemia is a word for high levels of cholesterol in the blood. Some people have an inherited syndrome, which causes very high levels of cholesterol. Untreated high cholesterol raises the risk of heart disease and cardiovascular problems.

Is arthropathy the same as rheumatoid arthritis?

Arthropathy: This is the term for any disease of your joints. Doctors may use it instead of “arthritis.” Rheumatoid arthritis is considered an inflammatory arthropathy because it makes your joints inflamed.

What is the difference between hyperlipidemia and hypercholesterolemia?

Hyperlipidemia means your blood has too many lipids (or fats), such as cholesterol and triglycerides. One type of hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, means you have too much non-HDL cholesterol and LDL (bad) cholesterol in your blood.

What is the main cause of hypercholesterolemia?

It’s caused by a gene alteration inherited from a parent, rather than an unhealthy lifestyle. People with familial hypercholesterolaemia have raised cholesterol from birth, which can lead to the early development of heart problems, such as atherosclerosis and CHD.

Is hypercholesterolemia the same as high cholesterol?

Cholesterol is a fat (also called a lipid) that your body needs to work properly. Too much bad cholesterol can increase your chance of getting heart disease, stroke, and other problems. The medical term for high blood cholesterol is lipid disorder, hyperlipidemia, or hypercholesterolemia.

What autoimmune disease causes joint inflammation?

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease. Normally, your immune system helps protect your body from infection and disease. In rheumatoid arthritis, your immune system attacks healthy tissue in your joints. It can also cause medical problems with your heart, lungs, nerves, eyes and skin.

What causes hypercholesterolemia?

Genetics of Familial Hypercholesterolemia Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) can be caused by inherited changes (mutations) in the LDLR, APOB, and PCSK9 genes, which affect how your body regulates and removes cholesterol from your blood. About 60-80% of people with FH have a mutation found in one of these three genes.

Can hypercholesterolemia be cured?

There’s no cure for FH, but the condition can be treated. An early diagnosis and treatment plan can improve your outlook and increase your life expectancy.

What is hypercholesterolemia?

Hypercholesterolemia refers to levels of cholesterol in the blood that are higher than normal. Cholesterol circulates in the blood stream. It is an essential molecule for the human body. Cholesterol is a molecule from which hormones and steroids are made. It is also used to maintain nerve cells.

What is the relationship between hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis?

Although hypercholesterolemia itself is asymptomatic, longstanding elevation of serum cholesterol can lead to atherosclerosis (hardening of arteries). Over a period of decades, elevated serum cholesterol contributes to formation of atheromatous plaques in the arteries.

Which physical findings are characteristic of hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol)?

In patients with hypercholesterolemia, palpitate all pulses and elicit carotids and femoral bruits. Also, carefully examine the tendon xanthoma (Achilles tendon and extensor tendons on the dorsum of the hand), xanthelasma, and arcus senilis if the patient is younger than 50 years old.

How does hypercholesterolemia increase the risk of heart disease?

Hypercholesterolemia increases the risk of heart disease. Elevated levels of circulating cholesterol cause deposits to form inside blood vessels. These deposits, called plaque, are composed of fats deposited from the bloodstream. When the deposits become sufficiently large, they block blood vessels and decrease the flow of blood.