What is "hyperlipidemia"

lipemia \lip*e"mi*a\ (l[i^]p*[=e]"m[-e]*[.a]), n. [Gr. li`pos fat + 'ai^ma blood.] (Med.) The presence of an abnormally high concentration of lipid in the blood. Called also hyperlipemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoidemia, lipidemia, lipoidemia.

n. (context medicine English) An excess quantity of lipid in the blood; a symptom of several medical conditions.

n. presence of excess lipids in the blood [syn: lipemia, lipaemia, lipidemia, lipidaemia, lipoidemia, lipoidaemia, hyperlipemia, hyperlipaemia, hyperlipidaemia, hyperlipoidemia, hyperlipoidaemia]

Hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, or hyperlipidaemia (British English) is abnormally elevated levels of any or all lipids and/or lipoproteins in the blood.thefreedictionary.com > hyperlipidemia Citing:

• Dorland's Medical Dictionary for Health Consumers. 2007 by Saunders, an imprint of Elsevier
• The American Heritage Medical Dictionary. 2007, 2004 by Houghton Mifflin Company. It is the most common form of dyslipidemia (which includes any abnormal lipid levels).

Lipids (water-insoluble molecules) are transported in a protein capsule. The size of that capsule, or lipoprotein, determines its density. The lipoprotein density and type of apolipoproteins it contains determines the fate of the particle and its influence on metabolism.

Hyperlipidemias are divided into primary and secondary subtypes. Primary hyperlipidemia is usually due to genetic causes (such as a mutation in a receptor protein), while secondary hyperlipidemia arises due to other underlying causes such as diabetes. Lipid and lipoprotein abnormalities are common in the general population, and are regarded as a modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular disease due to their influence on atherosclerosis. In addition, some forms may predispose to acute pancreatitis.