Familial Hyperlipidemia – What To Do After The Diagnosis

This article will define steps you can take after you receive the diagnosis.

Thik kind of hyperlipidemia is passed down through families so whether or not you have the disorder is determined by your genetics.

The condition goes by a big name that simply means your blood has higher than normal levels of cholesterol and triglycerides (i.e. blood fats).

Click here to view a Free Video presentation on “Lowering Cholesterol Naturally”..

How to lower your cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Once hyperlipidemia is diagnosed you can begin to take active steps to lower your blood cholesterol and triglyceride levels. If the disease is detected early it may respond positively to lifestyle changes.

Follow these healthy living tips to control your condition:

1. Eat a low-cholesterol, low-saturated fat diet to bring down the LDL (“bad” cholesterol) level in your blood. This type of diet reduces your saturated fat intake and brings your total fat intake below 30% of your daily calories.

By reducing your consumption of beef, pork and lamb and switching to low-fat dairy products you can improve your blood chemistry.

2. Eat foods high in fiber. Check your food labels and look for foods that contain at least 3 grams of fiber per serving.

An easy way to increase your fiber intake is by eating more fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals.

3. Keep your weight under control. Maintaining a healthy weight will help you control familial hyperlipidemia.

4. Do not smoke. Smoking increases your risk of atherosclerosis, commonly called “hardening of the arteries” and this will increase your risk of heart attack.

5. Make exercise a habit. Taking 30 minutes a day to get moving and elevate your breathing and heart rate goes a long way in your quest to control hyperlipidemia.

6. Get your blood checked early and often. If you have a family member who has been diagnosed with high cholesterol or early coronary artery disease then you should get tested for hyperlipidemia and get check-ups regularly. Staying on top of the condition is a great strategy.

“Your doctor may recommend medicine if diet, exercise, and weight loss efforts have not lowered your cholesterol levels.

Cholesterol-lowering medicines include: Bile acid-sequestering resins, Fibrates (such as gemfibrozil), Nicotinic acid, and Statins”

Being diagnosed with familial hyperlipidemia does not leave you without hope. Take action today to bring your condition under control by adopting the positive lifestyle habits mentioned above and you can live a happy and healthy life.