Common Symptoms Of Hyperlipidemia

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.