Dyslipidaemia
Dyslipidaemia refers to an imbalance in blood lipid levels, elevated triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, raised LDL, or a combination of these. It is one of the leading modifiable risk factors for heart attack and stroke, and diets high in refined carbohydrates and saturated fat, combined with low rates of physical activity, can push lipid profiles in the wrong direction.
Key points
- Dyslipidaemia covers several patterns of abnormal blood fat, including high triglycerides, low HDL and raised LDL cholesterol.
- A minority of cases run in families as familial dyslipidaemia, but most stem from diet, inactivity, excess weight or poorly controlled diabetes.
- When lifestyle changes are not enough, fibrates like gemfibrozil are especially effective at cutting triglycerides and lifting HDL levels.
What shifts the balance
Genetics account for some cases, familial dyslipidaemia runs in families and often needs early attention. More often the causes are lifestyle: a diet heavy in fried foods, white rice, and processed snacks; physical inactivity; excess weight around the abdomen; heavy alcohol intake; and poorly controlled type 2 diabetes or hypothyroidism. Secondary dyslipidaemia driven by these underlying conditions often improves considerably once the root cause is addressed.
How it is managed
Lifestyle change is the first step: reducing saturated fat, increasing fibre, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol. When lipid levels remain out of range despite these changes, medicines are added. Fibrates such as gemfibrozil are particularly effective at lowering high triglycerides and raising HDL. Broader cholesterol management often requires a combination approach tailored to which lipid fraction is most out of range. Blood tests every few months track whether treatment is working.