Hypercholesterolaemia

Question 1

What is hypercholesterolaemia?

Answer 1

A condition where there is an excess amount of cholesterol in the blood (LDL too high)

Causes atherosclerosis/arteriosclerosis - risk of CV disease/heart attack/stroke

Question 2

Types of Cholesterol

Answer 2

High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
- good cholesterol
- carries cholesterol away from the cells and back to the liver (broken down or passed as a waste product)

Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
- bad cholesterol
- carries cholesterol in the blood to different parts of the body (arteries)
- too much = plaque build up

Question 3

Normal Cholesterol Values

Answer 3

Total cholesterol = <5mmol

LDL = <3mmol

HDL = >1mmol

Question 4

Guidelines

Answer 4

NICE :
- aim for 30-60 mins per day
-rhythmic exercises that use large muscle groups (walking/cycling/swimming)

Cholesterol Clinical Practice:
- 3-4 40min sessions of moderate to vigorous intensity aerobic exercises per week

focus on the amount of exercise rather than intensity, aerobic exercise,

Question 5

Contraindications

Answer 5

High BP

Increased risk of DVT /stroke/heart disease/PAD

Question 6

Medications

Answer 6

Statins

block an enzyme in the liver involved in cholesterol production - reduces LDL