Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia
An example of dyslipidemia in the form of a 4-ml sample of hyperlipidemic blood in a vacutainer with EDTA. Left to settle for four hours without centrifugation, the lipids separated into the top fraction.
Specialty	Cardiology
Symptoms	Atherosclerosis
Complications	Cardiovascular disease, coronary artery disease
Types	Hyperlipidemia, hypolipidemia

Dyslipidemia is a metabolic disorder characterized by abnormally high or low amounts of any or all lipids (e.g. fats, triglycerides, cholesterol, phospholipids) or lipoproteins in the blood.^[1] Dyslipidemia is a risk factor for the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases,^[1] which include coronary artery disease, cerebrovascular disease, and peripheral artery disease.^[1] Although dyslipidemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, abnormal levels do not mean that lipid lowering agents need to be started.^[2] Other factors, such as comorbid conditions and lifestyle in addition to dyslipidemia, is considered in a cardiovascular risk assessment.^[3] In developed countries, most dyslipidemias are hyperlipidemias; that is, an elevation of lipids in the blood. This is often due to diet and lifestyle. Prolonged elevation of insulin resistance can also lead to dyslipidemia.^[1]