Medicine
Hyperlipidemia
High levels of fat particles (lipids) in the blood, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, which increase the risk of heart disease.
Hyperlipidaemia is elevated blood cholesterol or triglycerides — a silent but major risk factor for heart attack, stroke, and peripheral artery disease. LDL cholesterol drives atherosclerotic plaque formation within arterial walls.
Book a Consultation
Hyperlipidemia often has no visible symptoms but silently contributes to the buildup of plaque in arteries, increasing cardiovascular risk.
LDL Treatment Targets by Risk
- High-risk patients: LDL below 1.8 mmol/L
- Very high-risk patients: LDL below 1.4 mmol/L
- Recurrent cardiovascular events: LDL below 1.0 mmol/L
Causes & Risk Factors
- High saturated and trans fat intake
- Physical inactivity, obesity, smoking
- Type 2 diabetes and hypothyroidism
- Familial hypercholesterolaemia (FH) — affects approximately 1 in 250 people
Treatment Options
- Lifestyle modification (10–20% LDL reduction)
- Statins (30–55% LDL reduction)
- Ezetimibe (15–20% additional LDL reduction)
- PCSK9 inhibitors (50–60% LDL reduction)
- Inclisiran (newer RNA-interference therapy)
- Icosapent ethyl and fibrates for hypertriglyceridaemia
Monitoring
Lipid reassessment occurs 8–12 weeks after therapy initiation, with annual monitoring once stable.
Concerned About Hyperlipidemia?
Dr. Peter Chang offers specialist assessment and personalised management at Paragon Medical Centre, Singapore.