From the Guidelines
Risk factors for hyperlipidemia (HLD) include a combination of modifiable and non-modifiable factors, with lifestyle factors such as obesity, physical inactivity, and poor diet playing a significant role, as well as medical conditions like diabetes and certain medications, which can increase a person's likelihood of developing abnormal blood lipid levels. The primary risk factors include advancing age, family history of hyperlipidemia, and genetic disorders like familial hypercholesterolemia 1. Lifestyle factors contribute to dyslipidemia, with obesity, physical inactivity, poor diet high in saturated and trans fats, and excessive alcohol consumption all being significant contributors 1. Medical conditions such as diabetes, hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, and liver disease can also lead to secondary hyperlipidemia, and certain medications including some antipsychotics, corticosteroids, retinoids, and antiretrovirals may elevate lipid levels 1. Smoking damages blood vessels and lowers HDL (good) cholesterol levels, and gender also influences risk, with men generally having higher risk until women reach menopause, after which women's risk increases 1. Some of the key risk factors for HLD include:
- Advancing age
- Family history of hyperlipidemia
- Genetic disorders like familial hypercholesterolemia
- Obesity
- Physical inactivity
- Poor diet high in saturated and trans fats
- Excessive alcohol consumption
- Diabetes
- Hypothyroidism
- Chronic kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Certain medications, such as antipsychotics, corticosteroids, retinoids, and antiretrovirals
- Smoking Managing modifiable risk factors through diet, exercise, weight control, smoking cessation, and medication adherence can significantly reduce the risk of developing hyperlipidemia and its associated cardiovascular complications 1.
From the FDA Drug Label
Other risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) include: age (males ≥ 45 years; females: ≥ 55 years or premature menopause without estrogen replacement therapy); family history of premature CHD; current cigarette smoking; hypertension; confirmed HDL-C <35 mg/dL (<0. 91 mmol/L); and diabetes mellitus.
The risk factors for Hyperlipidemia (HLD) include:
- Age: males ≥ 45 years, females ≥ 55 years or premature menopause without estrogen replacement therapy
- Family history of premature coronary heart disease
- Current cigarette smoking
- Hypertension
- Low HDL-C: confirmed HDL-C <35 mg/dL
- Diabetes mellitus 2
From the Research
Risk Factors for Hyperlipidemia
- Genetic factors and environmental factors, such as diet and drug therapies, contribute to the development of hyperlipidemia 3
- Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetic disorder that increases the risk of hyperlipidemia 4
- Diabetes is a significant risk factor for hyperlipidemia, and diabetic patients often show lipid abnormalities, including qualitative changes in lipid profile 5
Lifestyle and Environmental Risk Factors
- Diet plays a crucial role in the development of hyperlipidemia, and a high-fat diet can increase the risk of hyperlipidemia 3
- Certain medications, such as those used to treat high blood pressure and diabetes, can increase the risk of hyperlipidemia 3
Disease-Related Risk Factors
- Cardiovascular disease is a significant risk factor for hyperlipidemia, and patients with a history of cardiovascular disease are more likely to develop hyperlipidemia 6
- Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are at high risk of developing hyperlipidemia and cardiovascular disease 7
Other Risk Factors
- Age is a significant risk factor for hyperlipidemia, and adults aged 40-75 years old with at least one risk factor and a calculated 10-year cardiovascular disease risk of 10% are recommended to use statins to treat hyperlipidemia 6
- Family history of hyperlipidemia or cardiovascular disease can increase the risk of developing hyperlipidemia 3