A condition called mixed hyperlipidemia is an inherited condition in which levels of certain fats in the blood are higher than they should be.

High levels of low-density lipoproteins and triglycerides are risk factors for cardiovascular disease. High-density lipoprotein or “good” cholesterol may be included in mixed hyperlipidemia.

Sometimes mixed hyperlipidemia can be present without obvious symptoms, which is a challenge in managing it.

You can learn more about mixed hyperlipidemia symptoms, the risk factors, and when to see your doctor about cholesterol levels.

Though mixed hyperlipidemia is a genetic condition and therefore present at birth, you could live for many years without any noticeable symptoms. Even high levels of LDL cholesterol and triglycerides may not be revealed on blood tests until your 20s or 30s.

When symptoms develop, they’re usually indications of atherosclerosis, or a narrowing of the arteries caused by a buildup of plaque along the arterial walls.

The arteries become less flexible when the plaque is made up of cholesterol, fats, and other substances. It is harder for blood to flow through the arteries.

There are symptoms of mixed hyperlipidemia.

  • angina (chest pain) caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle
  • Leg cramps are caused by narrowed arteries.
  • “The sores on the feet or lower legs don’t heal.”

According to research, hyperlipidemia is associated with greater risks of obesity and type 2 diabetes. The report also notes that lipid disorders may play a role in the development or progression of:

When to get immediate medical attention

The most serious complications of mixed hyperlipidemia are heart attack and stroke, so it’s important to recognize the early symptoms of these events so you can get emergency help right away.

Common heart attack symptoms include:

  • It is sometimes described as tightness or pressure.
  • nausea
  • There is pain in the neck, jaw, or shoulders.
  • The breath was very thin.

Stroke symptoms include:

  • The face is on one side.
  • Speech difficulty
  • sudden confusion
  • Severe headaches.
  • “Balance suddenly loses it’s strength.”
  • The limbs have a sensation of being numb.

A blood test can reveal your lipid levels. If your lipid levels are outside the healthy range — especially if you’re under the age of 40 — further diagnosis may be needed.

For example, your doctor may ask whether anyone in your family had hyperlipidemia or cardiovascular disease at a young age.

There are levels of LDL and HDL.

  • HDL: lower than 40 mg/dL
  • LDL: higher than 100 mg/dL
  • Triglycerides: higher than 150 mg/dL

What to know about cholesterol measurements

A standard cholesterol test, known as a lipid panel, involves a blood draw. It checks your levels of:

  • LDL (bad) cholesterol: low-density lipoproteins that can build up in your bloodstream and block arteries and blood vessels
  • HDL (good) cholesterol: high-density lipoproteins that help remove “bad” cholesterol from your blood
  • Triglycerides: a type of fat in your blood that stores calories you don’t use
  • Total cholesterol: the sum of your HDL and LDL cholesterol plus 20% of triglycerides in your bloodstream

There is no definitive genetic test that can confirm a diagnosis of mixed hyperlipidemia.

However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests that screening for mutations of the following genes may help confirm whether a person likely has an inherited lipid disorder:

  • The LDLR is a type of variable.
  • A.
  • PCSK9 is a dog.

A 2019 article suggests that about 1 out of 100 people have mixed hyperlipidemia. It occurs when there’s a mutation on chromosome 19 — a genetic disorder that may be inherited from one or both parents.

Having a certain type of ethnic background may also raise your risk of having a chromosome 19 mutation. This includes the following heritages:

  • Afrikaner is a person.
  • The Ashkenazi Jewish people are from the same family.
  • The Finns are.
  • Canadian is a French word.
  • The country of Lebanon.

The goal of treatment is to lower the cholesterol and triglyceride levels to a normal range.

Your doctor will probably recommend lifestyle changes.

  • Most days of the week, you can exercise.
  • following a heart-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet
  • Maintaining a moderate body weight.
  • If you smoke, you should quit.

Depending on your lipid levels, as well as your age and overall health, your doctor may prescribe an LDL-lowering medication, such as a statin. Other lipid-lowering medications include PCSK9 is a dog. inhibitors and ezetimibe.

A 2020 study compared people with high LDL and high triglycerides with individuals who only had high LDL levels. The researchers found that people with elevated levels of both blood fats are at much greater risk of cardiovascular complications than people who only have high LDL levels.

People with high levels of both blood fats need more aggressive treatment.

Mixed hyperlipidemia can be prevented, because it is an inherited condition. Early diagnosis and sticking to an effective treatment plan may help prevent serious problems.

One of the most important steps you can take to keep mixed hyperlipidemia from causing serious problems is to have your blood cholesterol levels checked regularly.

It is not usually obvious that mixed hyperlipidemia has symptoms. If cholesterol plaques affect your blood vessels and blood flow, you may experience chest pain, leg pain, or other symptoms.

If you want to prevent mixed hyperlipidemia, you need to know your family history and have your cholesterol profile checked.

Aggressive and lifelong treatment can bring mixed hyperlipidemia under control.