Behind the medical term hyperlipidemia, there are changes in modern lifestyles and health challenges. In today's material abundance, high blood lipids seem to have become the "invisible enemy" of many people, quietly eroding people's health.
Hyperlipidemia, i.e. the amount of fat in the blood that exceeds the normal range, is often closely related to poor eating habits, lack of exercise, excessive stress and other factors.
When there is an imbalance in fat metabolism in the human body, lipid substances in the blood will accumulate and form hyperlipidemia, which not only increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, but also may cause a series of health problems, such as atherosclerosis, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
The causes of hyperlipidemia are varied, but in the final analysis, it is closely related to people's lifestyles, and at the same time, lack of exercise also reduces the body's metabolic capacity, further exacerbating the risk of hyperlipidemia.
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Hyperlipidemia, while scary, is not unpreventable and treatable. By adjusting the diet, increasing the amount of exercise, and maintaining good lifestyle habits, the risk of hyperlipidemia can be effectively reduced. In addition, regular physical examinations to detect and intervene in hyperlipidemia in time are also important means to maintain health.
01
Normal range of blood lipids
The normal range of blood lipids is an important indicator of human health. Blood lipids, mainly cholesterol and triglycerides, play an integral role in the body, but high blood lipid levels can pose a range of health risks.
First, let's take a look at the normal range for cholesterol. There are two types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). HDL-C is known as "good cholesterol" because it helps remove cholesterol from artery walls, thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.
LDL-C, on the other hand, is known as "bad cholesterol" because it is easily deposited in the artery walls, leading to hardening of the arteries. In general, the ideal level of HDL-C should be greater than or equal to 1.3 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), while the ideal level of LDL-C should be less than 3.4 mmol/L.
Next, let's explore the normal range of triglycerides. Triglycerides are a fatty substance in the blood, and high levels can lead to health problems such as cardiovascular disease, obesity, and diabetes. The normal range for triglycerides is typically 0.45 to 1.69 mmol/L.
02
How high is blood lipids necessary to take medicine?
Blood lipids mainly include lipids such as cholesterol and triglycerides, which maintain a certain concentration range in the blood. When the concentration of these lipids exceeds the normal range, it is called elevated blood lipids.
Elevated blood lipids are closely related to the risk of a variety of diseases, such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, cerebrovascular disease, etc. Therefore, timely control of blood lipid levels is essential for maintaining health.
However, the need for medication to treat elevated blood lipids needs to be determined on an individual basis. Generally speaking, if the degree of elevated blood lipids is mild, lifestyle interventions such as adjusting diet and increasing exercise can achieve the goal of controlling blood lipids. However, if the degree of lipid elevation is severe, or symptoms of cardiovascular disease are already present, drug therapy may be considered.
Specifically, the standard of drug therapy may vary for different populations and for different lipid profiles. For example, in patients with cardiovascular disease, even if the degree of lipid elevation is mild, drug therapy should be considered to prevent disease progression. There are also different standards of drug therapy for different lipid markers such as cholesterol and triglycerides.
03
Can I stop lipid-lowering drugs once I take them? The doctor said frankly: There are two situations that may be expected to stop the drug
Lipid-lowering drugs, as a class of drugs widely used in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular diseases such as hyperlipidemia, their importance is self-evident. However, whether lipid-lowering drugs need to be taken continuously, and whether it is possible to stop them, is not impossible, but it mainly depends on the specific condition and physical condition of the patient.
First, for those who are taking lipid-lowering drugs due to short-term lifestyle changes or mild elevated blood lipids, if the lipid levels can be effectively controlled and stabilized through lifestyle interventions such as dietary modification and increased exercise, then in these cases, the doctor may consider gradually reducing the dose of the drug or even eventually stopping the drug. However, it should be noted that blood lipid levels should be closely monitored during the withdrawal process to prevent rebound.
Secondly, for some special types of lipid-lowering drugs, such as statins, doctors may recommend patients to take them for a long time due to their multiple effects such as stabilizing plaques and preventing cardiovascular events.
However, even in these cases, it is not absolutely impossible to discontinue the drug. For example, when a patient experiences serious drug side effects or interactions with other medications, doctors may consider adjusting the dosage of the medication, changing the medication, or even temporarily stopping the medication.
04
How to lower blood lipids?5 tips to try
1. Eat a healthy diet
Adjusting the diet is the key to lowering blood lipids. It is advisable to increase foods rich in soluble fiber, such as oats, apples, beans, etc., which help lower "bad" cholesterol levels. At the same time, reducing the intake of saturated fats and trans fats, such as animal offal and fried foods, can effectively prevent elevated blood lipids.
2. Exercise regularly
Regular aerobic exercise, such as jogging, swimming, cycling, etc., can not only improve cardiopulmonary fitness, but also promote fat metabolism and lower blood lipids. It is recommended to get at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise per week.
3. Control your weight
Obesity is one of the important causes of dyslipidemia. Maintaining a healthy weight range can be an effective way to lower blood lipid levels. In addition to diet and exercise, good sleep habits are also key to weight control.
4. Quit smoking and limit alcohol
Both smoking and excessive alcohol consumption can have adverse effects on blood lipid levels. Quitting smoking can reduce inflammation of blood vessels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, and limiting alcohol intake can help maintain lipid stability.
5. Check it up regularly
Regular lipid testing can detect dyslipidemia in time and take appropriate measures to make adjustments. It is also an important means of monitoring other risk factors for cardiovascular disease.