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The medical term for high blood cholesterol and triglycerides is lipid disorder. Such a disorder occurs when you have too many fatty substances in your blood. These substances include cholesterol and triglycerides.

Lipid disorders; Hyperlipoproteinemia; Hyperlipidemia; Dyslipidemia; Hypercholesterolemia

A lipid disorder increases your risk for atherosclerosis, and thus for heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure (hypertension), and other problems.

There are many types of cholesterol. The ones talked about most are:

• Total cholesterol - all the cholesterols combined
• HDL cholesterol - often called "good" cholesterol
• LDL cholesterol - often called "bad" cholesterol

There are several genetic disorders (passed down through families) that lead to abnormal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. They include:

• Familial combined hyperlipidemia
• Familial dysbetalipoproteinemia
• Familial hypercholesterolemia
• Familial hypertriglyceridemia

Abnormal cholesterol and triglyceride levels may also be caused by:

• Being overweight or obese. See: Metabolic syndrome
• Certain medications, including birth control pills, estrogen, corticosteroids, certain diuretics, beta blockers, and certain antidepressants
• Diseases such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, Cushing syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, and kidney disease
• Excessive alcohol use
• Fatty diets that are high in saturated fats (found mainly in red meat, egg yolks, and high-fat dairy products) and trans fatty acids (found in commercial processed food products)
• Lack of exercise
• Smoking (which reducess HDL "good" cholesterol)

Lipid disorders are more common in men than in women.

See Coronary risk profile for information on when to be tested.

Tests to diagnose a lipid disorder may include:

• HDL test
• LDL test
• Lipoprotein-a analysis
• Total cholesterol test
• Triglyceride test

If you are diagnosed with high cholesterol, you will probably need to continue lifestyle changes and drug treatment throughout your life. Periodic monitoring of your cholesterol blood levels is necessary. Reducing high cholesterol levels will slow the progression of atherosclerosis.

Possible complications of high cholesterol include:

• Atherosclerosis
• Coronary artery disease
• Stroke
• Heart attack or death

Possible complications of high triglycerides include:

• Pancreatitis

If you have high cholesterol or other risk factors for heart disease, make appointments as recommended by your doctor.

Cholesterol and triglyceride screening is important to identify and treat abnormal levels. Men ages 20-35 and women ages 20-45 should have their cholesterol levels checked.

To help prevent high cholesterol:

• Eat a well-balanced, low-fat diet
• Keep a healthy body weight

Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults. Executive summary of the third report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). JAMA. 2001;285:2486-2497. Updated 2004. Accessed May 1, 2009.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Lipid Disorders in Adults. Accessed May 1, 2009.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Screening for Lipid Disorders in Children. US Preventive Services;Task Force recommendation statement. Pediatrics. 2007;120(1):e215-9.

Daniels SR, Greer FR; Committee on Nutrition. Lipid screening and cardiovascular health in childhood. Pediatrics. 2008;122(1):198-208.

Gaziano M, Manson JE, Ridker PM. Primary and secondary prevention of coronary heart disease. In: Libby P, Bonow RO, Mann DL, Zipes DP, eds. Braunwald's Heart Disease: A Textbook of Cardiovascular Medicine. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pa; Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap 45.