Can thin people also have high blood lipids? Uncovering the truth about abnormal blood lipids and effective management strategies

Xiao Li, a well-proportioned young person who loves sports, unexpectedly learned that her blood lipid level was high during a recent physical examination. This puzzled her because she has always maintained healthy eating habits and has a slim figure, and she usually has no discomfort. So why do thin people also suffer from high blood lipids? What are the harms of abnormal blood lipids? How to interpret the blood lipid indicators in the physical examination report? And does elevated blood lipids mean that you need to take medication for life? Next, we will answer these questions one by one.

1. Why do thin people also have high blood lipids?

Although Xiao Li is thin, her blood lipid level is high, which is not uncommon. This phenomenon is usually related to the following factors:

1. Genetic factors : About 15% of tall and thin patients have familial cholesterol metabolism abnormalities, which may result in high blood lipid levels even if they are thin.

2. Dietary factors : Excessive intake of saturated fat (such as red meat, dairy products, coconut oil, palm oil, etc.) and trans fat (such as margarine, fried foods, biscuits, cakes, etc.) can also cause increased blood lipids.

3. Lifestyle : Bad habits such as lack of exercise, long-term high pressure and lack of sleep may also affect blood lipid metabolism.

Therefore, being slim does not mean that you can ignore blood lipid management. It is essential to maintain a healthy lifestyle and regularly monitor blood lipid levels.

2. The harm of dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia often has no obvious symptoms in the early stages, but its long-term presence may cause a series of health problems:

1. Atherosclerosis : High blood lipids can cause fat to deposit in the blood vessel walls, forming plaques, which in turn increases the risk of atherosclerosis.

2. Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases : Atherosclerosis may further lead to serious diseases such as coronary heart disease and stroke, threatening life and health.

3. Other health risks : Abnormal blood lipids may also increase the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, and affect overall health.

3. How to interpret the blood lipid indicators in the physical examination report?

In the physical examination report, dyslipidemia is usually evaluated by the following indicators:

1. Total cholesterol (TC): The sum of all cholesterol in the blood. The normal value should be less than 5.2 mmol/L.

2. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): commonly known as "bad cholesterol", the normal value should be less than 3.4 mmol/L. Too high will increase the risk of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease.

3. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C): commonly known as "good cholesterol", the normal value should be higher than 1.0 mmol/L. It helps to remove cholesterol from blood vessels and protect cardiovascular health.

4. Triglycerides (TG): fat in the blood, the normal value should be less than 1.7 mmol/L. Too high may also increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

4. Does elevated blood lipids mean lifelong medication?

Whether medication is needed or how long it should be taken depends mainly on the individual's blood lipid levels, cardiovascular disease risk, and other health factors. Doctors usually decide based on the following:

1. High-risk groups : Patients with coronary heart disease, diabetes or previous cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events usually need to take long-term or even lifelong medication to control blood lipid levels and prevent cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

2. Low- and medium-risk groups : By adjusting their lifestyle, such as improving their diet and increasing exercise, their blood lipid levels may be effectively controlled, thus avoiding long-term dependence on medication. However, even if they stop taking medication, they still need to monitor their blood lipid levels regularly to ensure their health.

5. How to effectively prevent and control dyslipidemia?

To prevent and control dyslipidemia, we can take the following measures:

1. Healthy diet : Reduce the intake of saturated fat and trans fat, and increase the intake of fiber-rich foods such as whole grains, vegetables, fruits, etc.

2. Moderate exercise : Maintain at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, such as brisk walking, swimming or cycling.

3. Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption : Smoking and excessive drinking will increase the risk of dyslipidemia, so they should be avoided as much as possible.

4. Adequate sleep : Maintain a regular work and rest schedule, try to go to bed before 23:00 every day, ensure 7-9 hours of sleep, avoid blue light exposure (mobile phones, computers) 2 hours before bedtime, read paper books or listen to music to promote sleep.

5. Relax and relieve stress : meditate, take deep breaths, or do progressive muscle relaxation 30 minutes before going to bed. When you are stressed, try the "478 breathing method": inhale for 4 seconds → hold your breath for 7 seconds → exhale for 8 seconds, repeat 5 times, keep a happy mood, and avoid excessive stress.

6. Regular physical examinations : Especially those with a family history or high-risk factors should undergo regular blood lipid tests to detect problems in a timely manner.

In summary, dyslipidemia is not a problem exclusive to fat people. Thin people also need to pay attention to and manage their blood lipid levels. Through a healthy lifestyle, regular physical examinations and necessary drug treatment, we can effectively reduce the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases and protect our health. Xiao Li's story reminds us that health management needs to be comprehensive and meticulous, and health status cannot be judged solely by body shape or self-perception.

author:

Ma Fangfang Head Nurse, Department of Internal Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Xia Ying, deputy chief nurse of the Department of Internal Medicine, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Reviewer: Yang Ming, deputy chief physician, Department of Cardiology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences

Produced by: Science Popularization China