Common Symptoms Of Hyperlipidemia

Knowing what hyperlipidemia can do to the body is very important. However, it is the symptoms of this condition everyone should understand. There are no runny noses or rashes to observe. Proper handwashing will not help prevent this, and it is not contagious either. The common symptoms of hyperlipidemia are easily seen by the naked eye and are usually only found when the levels are very high.

However, the strong correlation between the symptoms and the condition is life-threatening, especially if it goes unchecked. The more individuals know about hyperlipidemia and its significance to their body, the better health they can have. Reveal the most common symptoms of hyperlipidemia now.

Increased Blood Pressure

Just as pieces of food in the kitchen sink keep the water from flowing into the drain properly, blood may not be able to get where it needs to go. The clogs make the heart work harder at higher levels of pressure to force the blood through the body, and the symptom of increased blood pressure, also called high blood pressure or hypertension, will happen. This is a very dangerous symptom because it develops slowly over time.

Many individuals do not know their heart is working harder and harder. If the pressure becomes too high, there can be damage to the arterial walls and the heart. The heart may grow larger to try to pump more efficiently, but eventually, it starts to wear out, and more symptoms start to develop. It is not a cause to diagnose hyperlipidemia on its own, but the increased pressure can signify there could be hyperlipidemia in the body.

High Cholesterol And Triglycerides

Cholesterol is a waxy, fatty substance the body needs, but only in the right amount. How your body uses this oily substance in the blood is called lipidemia. Hyperlipidemia is when there is a high amount of fat. Cholesterol is made by the liver and from the foods individual eat. Dairy products, fried foods, bacon, palm oil, hamburgers, and eggs all contain cholesterol that can cause the liver to make more. Triglycerides are also a type of fat present in the body. When individuals eat, their body gets the nutrients it needs from the calories, and what is left over is converted into triglycerides.

The symptoms of high cholesterol and triglycerides are visual proof in cholesterol screenings the body has too much cholesterol and fats within it, which also indicates hyperlipidemia. This matters because, as this waxy substance floats around in the blood, it can stick to various areas and clog up the blood flow. The hardened regions of cholesterol are called atherosclerosis. They can narrow the size of the blood vessel or completely block it off.

Formation Of Blood Clots

If circulation is not at its peak, blood clots can form. Blood naturally begins to clot once it slows down due to the presence of fibrin and platelets, which work together to make a clot. This is a good thing when a cut happens because the body can clot the blood and seal off the wound to prevent blood loss. It is not good, however, when the blood starts to pool in the enlarged heart, which has grown in size to fight against increased blood pressure.

Another place that can form blood clots is within the deep veins of a leg, which is also known as deep vein thrombosis. These clots may be stuck temporarily and grow in size, but they can break free and travel to the heart, lungs, or the brain. As clots become bigger and bigger, they can stop the life-giving flow of blood in the arteries and veins.

Chest Pain

Since hyperlipidemia makes it harder for blood to pump through the body, it puts more stress on the heart. As a result, one of the symptoms that can arise is chest pain or angina. Typically, chest pain will appear as a symptom when hyperlipidemia causes atherosclerosis or coronary heart disease. Atherosclerosis is a condition that develops when plaque builds in the arteries. The plaque that builds up is made of a combination of calcium, fat, cholesterol, and similar substances found in the blood. As atherosclerosis progresses, the plaque will harden and narrow the arteries.

Both coronary heart disease and atherosclerosis make the heart and blood vessels work harder, hence experiencing angina. Angina, while it is not a pleasant experience, serves as an important warning sign to another symptom of hyperlipidemia.

Heart Attack

The heart pumps the blood to supply nutrients to the whole body, but it also pumps blood to itself through the many arteries surrounding the heart. A broken off piece of hardened cholesterol or a blood clot can stop the flow of blood to the heart and cause it to beat erratically and begin to die. When this happens, it is called a heart attack, and this may indicate hyperlipidemia. Symptoms of a heart attack can start with pain or an uncomfortable feeling in the chest.

Some individuals say it feels like a squeezing or pressure sensation. Sometimes, the pain comes and goes, or it can stay and become worse. Other symptoms such as nausea, lightheadedness, trouble breathing, and nausea may also occur. If you or anyone you know are experiencing symptoms like this, is vital to call 911 immediately for medical assistance.

Stroke

Lastly, a stroke may indicate to doctors there is hyperlipidemia present. This life-altering event can occur for two different reasons. A blood clot clogs the flow of blood within the brain, or a blood vessel has broken open due to the increased blood pressure. To talk, walk, move one's arms and legs, and think correctly, the brain needs a constant supply of oxygen to work as it should. If the blood flow carrying oxygen is pooling into the brain because of the large hole in the vessel, or it has been stopped by a chipped off a piece of plaque caused by hyperlipidemia, part of the brain can die.

Use the acronym FAST to help recognize the symptoms of this quickly and easily. 'F' stands for face drooping, 'A' stands for arm weakness, 'S' stands for speech difficulty, and 'T' reminds everyone it is time to call 911. This is a life and death situation, so please call 911 immediately for medical assistance. You have the time to save your loved one's life by calling.

Growth Around Eyes

Hyperlipidemia, since it deals with high cholesterol, can also result in yellow, fatty growths around the eyes. These growths are called xanthomas/xanthelasmas and typically appear around the eyes (specifically, the eyelids), though they can also occur around joints as well. Xanthomas contain fats, including cholesterol, which is why they are a symptom of hyperlipidemia. These deposits typically occur in cases of familial hyperlipidemia and not other forms of the disease, which can go without symptoms such as this (or without symptoms entirely).

Pancreatitis

Hyperlipidemia may also be present in the body if the patient is experiencing swelling in their organs. Specifically, the organs affected by swelling due to hyperlipidemia are the liver, spleen, and pancreas. The last of these is a condition known as pancreatitis, which is characterized by the swelling and inflammation of the pancreas. Other signs of pancreatitis to watch for, especially if hyperlipidemia is a concern, includes nausea, vomiting, fever, and upper abdominal pain that worsens after eating or radiates to the back. Patients with pancreatitis and hyperlipidemia may also deal with a rapid pulse and tender abdomen, causing pain when it is touched.

Atherosclerosis

Atherosclerosis, as mentioned, is a disease where plaques form in the walls of an individual's arteries that cause them to become excessively narrowed, thick, and hard. The narrowed blood vessels hinder the proper flow of blood from the heart to the rest of the body. The plaque that builds up inside of an affected individual's arteries is made from a mixture of immune substances, fats, and cholesterol, and often resulting in the presence of hyperlipidemia. These type of high-fat levels in the blood can be the result of an unhealthy diet that is rich in saturated fat, cholesterol, and trans fats. Poor exercise habits and genetic factors may also play a role in the development of hyperlipidemia-induced atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis occurs when the blood vessels that have incurred damage from high blood pressure or other means allow the penetration of extra fats and cholesterol into the vessel walls. The cumulative combination of substances produced from a natural inflammatory immune response and the high blood fat content results in the development of sticky plaques on the blood vessel walls. If hyperlipidemia-induced atherosclerosis is left untreated, it can result in life threatening medical problems like stroke and heart attack.

Pain When Walking

A symptom that can manifest in individuals affected by hyperlipidemia is the sensation of pain when walking or claudication. This type of pain is the result of a decreased amount of blood flow that commonly occurs during physical exertion or exercise. Because hyperlipidemia is a common underlying cause of atherosclerosis in affected individuals, claudication occurs when high lipid levels in the blood cause the buildup of plaque in the arteries that supply the arms and legs. When plaque accumulation begins to affect the function of the arms and legs, it is called peripheral artery disease.

The collection of plaques in the arteries can cause them to become so narrowed and stiff that not enough blood is allowed to flow through them into the legs. Pain occurs when the muscles in an individual's legs do not receive enough oxygen because of poor blood flow. Without enough oxygen, the muscles in the buttocks, thighs, and calves are unable to contract properly. This symptom usually starts as intermittent pain when engaging in physical activity, and it progresses to pain when resting or walking short distances.

Gangrene

Gangrene is a condition that happens as a result of the death of body tissues due to blood supply loss from an underlying disease, infection, or injury. Commonly affected areas of the body include the toes, fingers, arms, and legs. Because hyperlipidemia causes a restriction of blood flow due to fatty deposits in the arteries that supply the body's tissues, blood cannot deliver essential nutrients and antibodies to injured areas effectively. This malfunction results in a high susceptibility to developing an infection from even minor lesions and lacerations. The resulting advanced infection causes the surrounding tissues to die from gangrene.

Gangrene can appear as purple, blue, black, or brown and will often fall off of the affected individual's body. Gangrene can also occur due to hyperlipidemia inside of an individual's body from obstructed blood flow to an internal organ. Internal gangrene can happen when the bacteria from an infection releases toxic gasses into surrounding tissues. In such cases, the skin will appear grey and make a crackle-like sound when pressure is placed on it.

Swollen Liver Or Spleen

An individual may experience unpleasant or painful sensations in the abdominal area due to a swollen liver or spleen caused by hyperlipidemia. Because the blood in affected individuals has a high lipid content, deposits of such substances on their internal organs is a common occurrence when lipid levels in the blood rise above a certain threshold. Because the spleen is responsible for the filtering and monitoring of some substances from the blood, it is more susceptible than other organs to the accumulation of triglycerides. Likewise, the liver is responsible for the filtering of certain compounds from the blood to use for the production of digestive substances.

Since blood is continuously flowing through both the spleen and the liver, they have a higher chance of having fatty substances deposit and stick to them. This accumulation of lipid substance causes inflammation as a response from the affected individual's immune system. The combination of the lipid-based deposits and the summoned immune system components creates a collection of waxy material that results in enlargement or swelling of the liver and spleen.