Hyperlipidemia: Is your blood too oily?

Hyperlipidemia refers to high blood lipid levels, which can directly lead to atherosclerosis, angina pectoris, myocardial infarction, cerebral thrombosis, cerebral arteriosclerosis, etc. Blood lipids are the general term for neutral fats (triglycerides and cholesterol) and lipids (phospholipids, glycolipids, sterols, steroids) in plasma.

The occurrence of hyperlipidemia is related to many factors, including genetic factors, lifestyle (such as long-term high-fat and high-sugar diet, lack of exercise, alcoholism, smoking, etc.), and disease factors (such as diabetes, nephrotic syndrome, hypothyroidism, etc.). Most patients have no obvious symptoms and are often discovered during physical examinations or examinations for other diseases. However, long-term abnormal blood lipids may cause xanthomas, premature corneal rings, and lipidemia fundus changes, and increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.

1. Diet control

• Control total calories: Calculate appropriate calorie intake based on the patient's weight, age, gender and activity level to maintain energy balance and avoid overweight or obesity. In general, reduce the intake of high-calorie, low-nutrient-density foods, such as fried foods, cakes, etc.

• Adjust your diet: Increase your intake of dietary fiber and eat more whole grains, vegetables, fruits, beans, etc. These foods help lower cholesterol levels. Reduce your intake of saturated fatty acids and trans fatty acids, such as animal fats and margarine, and choose foods rich in unsaturated fatty acids, such as olive oil, fish oil, nuts, etc. At the same time, control your cholesterol intake and eat less high-cholesterol foods such as animal offal and egg yolks.

2. Sports

• Choose the right exercise: Aerobic exercise is very beneficial for patients with hyperlipidemia, such as brisk walking, jogging, swimming, cycling, etc. These exercises can improve cardiopulmonary function and promote fat metabolism. If the patient has joint problems or other physical limitations, low-intensity exercise can be chosen, such as Tai Chi, yoga, etc.

• Ensure the intensity and frequency of exercise: At least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise should be performed every week, which can be distributed over 5 days, with each exercise lasting about 30 minutes. The intensity of exercise should be adjusted appropriately according to the patient's physical condition, so that the patient can sweat slightly and breathe faster after exercise, but still be able to talk normally. In addition, some strength training, such as weightlifting and push-ups, can be appropriately added to help increase muscle mass and improve basal metabolic rate.

3. Medication

• Take medication as directed by the doctor: If the blood lipid level is still not up to standard after lifestyle changes, the patient may need to take lipid-lowering drugs. Inform the patient to take the medication strictly according to the doctor's instructions on time and in the prescribed amount, and do not increase or decrease the dosage or stop taking the medication on your own. Common lipid-lowering drugs include statins and fibrates. Different drugs have different side effects. For example, statins may cause liver damage, muscle pain, etc. If the patient feels unwell during medication, he should inform the doctor in time.

• Pay attention to drug interactions: Tell patients that if they need to use other medications while taking lipid-lowering drugs, they should consult a doctor or pharmacist first, because some drugs may interact with lipid-lowering drugs, affecting their efficacy or increasing the risk of side effects.

4. Lifestyle

• Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption: Smoking is an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease and will aggravate the damage of hyperlipidemia to blood vessels, so patients should quit smoking. Excessive drinking will also have adverse effects on blood lipid metabolism. It is recommended that men drink no more than two standard drinking units per day (one standard drinking unit is equivalent to 14 grams of pure alcohol) and women no more than one standard drinking unit per day.

• Regular work and rest: Maintaining a regular work and rest schedule and getting enough sleep will help maintain the body’s normal metabolic function. Staying up late for a long time may cause endocrine disorders, which in turn affects blood lipid metabolism.

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