Introduction
Hyperlipidemia is a medical condition that is characterized by high cholesterol or triglyceride levels. Cholesterol is fat in the blood that builds healthy cells and stabilizes membranes. High cholesterol provokes the risk of heart-related problems when fatty deposits challenge the blood flow. Hyperlipidemia has no evident symptoms but treatable, and this essay focuses on its pathophysiology, process, and treatment principles to clarify anti-hyperlipidemia classes and patient variables.
Overview of Hyperlipidemia
Pathophysiology
The main physiological processes associated with hyperlipidemia include the elevation of cholesterol in the blood. Two common types of lipoproteins are responsible for the transportation of cholesterol in cells – low-density lipoproteins (LDL), also known as bad cholesterol, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL), also known as good cholesterol (Ramirez & Hu, 2015). Hyperlipidemia results due to lipoprotein metabolism defects and increased lipid levels that circulate in plasma.
Disease Process
There are two types of hyperlipidemia, primary (idiopathic genetic defect in the lipid metabolism) and secondary (the contributions of other diseases like diabetes or obesity). Cholesterol levels depend on the quality of food taken by a patient and the types of fat consumed. The disease process in hyperlipidemic patients is simple: as soon as the number of fats exceeds the accessible level, arteries stiffen and prevent blood circulation.
Treatment Principles
Standardized Guidelines
When the doctor discovers a high level of cholesterol in the blood, standardized treatment guidelines must be followed. They include diet choice, physical exercises, weight control, no smoking habits, and the use of statins (Trentman, Avey, & Ramakrishna, 2016). However, medication treatment has to be discussed with a healthcare provider after the genetic predisposition is analyzed and no negative outcomes on the liver are observed.
Evidence-Based Recommendations
In 2013, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology created evidence-based recommendations for patients to reduce cardiovascular risks that were derived from randomized trials, observations, and meta-analyses. Grundy et al. (2018) used these guidelines to explain how to improve cardiovascular health. Safety recommendations are based on an understanding of statin therapy benefits, and prevention is focused on regular monitoring of adherence to a healthy lifestyle.
Cardinal Points of Treatment
The major point of hyperlipidemia treatment is the identification of cholesterol/triglycerides levels. The choice of medication determines the development of the conditions. Statins are effective for all patients but not for those with elevated lipoproteins and LDL-C (Trentman et al., 2016). Inhibitors perform the role of antibodies that reduce LDL-C and control HDL-C with minimal changes within triglycerides (Trentman et al., 2016). Alternative medicine is acceptable only if the doctor permits it.
Anti-Hyperlipidemia Classes
Statins aim to block the substance that is used by the liver to make cholesterol. However, it is not the only drug class that can prevent hyperlipidemia. Second-line antihyperlipidemic drug classes like niacin, fibrates, cholesterol absorption inhibitors (ezetimibe), and bile acid sequestrants (Shattat, 2014). Vitamins, alternative medications (omega-3 fatty acids), or antioxidants cannot be ignored because they improve endothelial function and stabilize the general condition of patients.
Patient Monitoring
Each drug class has its effects, and control of health changes is integral. Statins may contribute to myopathy or type 2 diabetes, so the level of sugar in the blood has to be checked. The use of bile acid sequestrants may result in gastrointestinal changes, so probiotics are recommended. Fibrates are not effective for patients with renal dysfunctions, and monitoring also includes skin control. Niacin may increase liver enzymes and glucose, so this type of control is required. Ezetimibe challenges the patient’s general health, and the therapist’s monitoring may help.
Patient Variables
In general, hyperlipidemia can be observed in patients of different ages and genders. Variables may include children and adolescents (environmental factors and genetic disorders contribute to the risk of the condition), middle-aged (35-65 years), men (obesity predisposition, smoking, and serum levels), and women (menopause and pregnancy). Hyperlipidemia risks in these groups are not fully investigated, but these variables remain the most significant classification for doctors and researchers.
References
Grundy, S. M., Stone, N. J., Bailey, A. L., Beam, C., Birtcher, K. K., Blumenthal, R. S.,… Yeboah, J. (2018). 2018 AHA/ACC/AACVPR/AAPA/ABC/ACPM/ADA/AGS/APhA/ASPC/NLA/PCNA guideline on the management of blood cholesterol: A report of the American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association Task Force on clinical practice guidelines. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 73(24), 3168-3209. Web.
Ramirez, A., & Hu, P. P. (2015). Low high-density lipoprotein and risk of myocardial infarction. Clinical Medicine Insights: Cardiology, 9, 113-117. Web.
Shattat, G. F. (2014). A review article on hyperlipidemia: Types, treatments and new drug targets. Biomedical and Pharmacology Journal, 7(1), 399-409. Web.
Trentman, T. L., Avey, S. G., & Ramakrishna, H. (2016). Current and emerging treatments for hypercholesterolemia: A focus on statins and proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin Type 9 inhibitors for perioperative clinicians. Journal of Anaesthesiology: Clinical Pharmacology, 32(4), 440-445. Web.