A lipid disorder, also called dyslipidemia, means cholesterol or triglyceride levels are outside the healthy range. High LDL cholesterol, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, elevated ApoB, or inherited lipid disorders can increase the risk of plaque buildup in the arteries.
At Heart and Vascular Specialists, we evaluate lipid disorders in the context of the patient’s full cardiovascular risk, including blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, family history, smoking history, weight, inflammation, and prior vascular disease.
Symptoms patients may notice
- Most lipid disorders do not cause symptoms until cardiovascular disease develops
- Family history of early heart attack, stroke, or very high cholesterol
- Fatty deposits under the skin or around the eyes in selected inherited conditions
- Chest symptoms, leg pain with walking, or abnormal cardiac testing in patients with plaque disease
How we evaluate this condition
- Lipid panel including LDL, HDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol
- Advanced testing such as ApoB, Lp(a), or inflammatory/metabolic markers when appropriate
- Risk scoring, family-history review, and evaluation for diabetes, thyroid disease, kidney disease, liver disease, or medication causes
- Coronary calcium scoring or vascular imaging in selected patients when risk is uncertain
Treatment and care options
- Nutrition, weight-risk management, exercise, smoking cessation, and diabetes control
- Statin therapy when appropriate based on risk level
- Non-statin therapies such as ezetimibe, PCSK9 inhibitors, bempedoic acid, or triglyceride-directed treatment when appropriate
- Ongoing monitoring of cholesterol response, side effects, and cardiovascular risk