If you have a lipid disorder, it means you have high levels of fats, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in your blood. Knowing the causes, the symptoms, and how to manage a lipid disorder can help prevent serious health issues.

Lipid disorders are common health conditions involving high levels of cholesterol and triglycerides in your blood.

Nearly 25 million adults in the United States have high cholesterol, which is defined as a total cholesterol level of 240 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher.

A lipid disorder can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. It’s important to understand the causes, risk factors, and symptoms so that you can manage the condition and lower your risk of serious health complications.

If your doctor says you have a lipid disorder, it means you have high blood levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, a type of fats called triglycerides, or both. High levels of these substances can increase your risk of developing heart disease.

Cholesterol

To understand what having a lipid disorder means, you need to know about cholesterol. The two major forms of cholesterol found in your body are low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL).

LDL, sometimes known as “bad cholesterol,” is made by your body and also minimally absorbed from cholesterol-rich foods such as red meat and dairy products. When combined with other fats and substances in your blood, LDL can create blockages in your arteries.

Blockages in your arteries can reduce blood flow and cause serious health problems such as heart disease, heart attack, or stroke. Because of its potential effects, doctors recommend maintaining lower levels of LDL.

HDL, sometimes known as “good cholesterol,” has a protective effect on your heart. It transports harmful cholesterol out of your arteries. Doctors usually recommend that you have a higher level of HDL cholesterol.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of fats that you get mostly from the food you eat. Your body also produces them when it converts excess calories to fat for storage. Some triglycerides are necessary for certain cell functions, but high triglyceride levels can cause health problems. As with LDL, lower levels of triglycerides are considered healthier.

Foods high in certain types of fats, certain medical conditions, and other factors can cause high blood cholesterol and high triglycerides.

Food

Foods contain four main types of fats:

  • Saturated fats: found in foods such as butter, meat, and dairy products
  • Monounsaturated fats: found in foods such as olive oil, nuts, and avocados
  • Polyunsaturated fats: corn oil, sunflower oil, and other sources of omega-3 fatty acids
  • Trans fats: found in fried foods and some cookies and crackers

Dietary guidelines recommend avoiding foods that are high in saturated and trans fats because these fats are known to raise LDL levels. Trans fats, or trans-fatty acids, are considered worse than saturated fats because they can raise your LDL levels and lower your HDL levels.

However, according to a 2024 research review, there’s not enough evidence to suggest that cutting back on saturated fats can lower the risk of heart disease or affect LDL levels.

Researchers suggest that this lack of evidence may have occurred because the past definition of saturated fats did not include trans-fat products, such as margarine and shortening, which were often mixed up with natural saturated fats.

Medical conditions

Certain medical conditions can affect your cholesterol levels. High blood cholesterol levels can be caused by:

Other causes

High cholesterol levels have also been linked to the following factors:

  • Lack of exercise: Not getting enough exercise can increase your LDL levels. On the other hand, exercise has been shown to boost HDL levels.
  • Smoking: Smoking can also increase your bad cholesterol, causing plaque to build up in your arteries.
  • Genetics: If high cholesterol runs in your family, you have a greater risk of developing high cholesterol yourself.
  • Medications: Certain medications, such as some kinds of diuretics, can increase your cholesterol levels.

High cholesterol typically does not cause any symptoms. Symptoms may only appear after the increased cholesterol has caused significant damage.

For instance, heart disease symptoms such as angina (chest pain), nausea, and fatigue may occur if high cholesterol levels have begun to affect your heart. A heart attack or stroke may result from unmanaged high cholesterol, among other factors.

To check your cholesterol levels, your doctor will order a blood test called a lipid profile or lipid panel. This test measures your total cholesterol (both LDL and HDL) and triglycerides.

Before this test, your doctor will likely ask you to avoid eating and drinking liquids other than water for at least 8 to 12 hours.

The lipid profile measures cholesterol in mg/dL. A healthy total cholesterol level is under 200 mg/dL.

A treatment plan to address high cholesterol and triglycerides typically involves a combination of medications and lifestyle changes. Your doctor may also suggest certain supplements.

Medications

Several types of medication can be used to treat lipid disorders:

  • Statins: These drugs block a substance created in your liver that produces cholesterol, and your liver then removes cholesterol from your blood. Statins can also absorb cholesterol trapped in your arteries. Commonly prescribed statins include:
    • atorvastatin (Lipitor)
    • fluvastatin (Lescol)
    • rosuvastatin (Crestor)
    • simvastatin (Zocor)
    • pravastatin (Pravachol)
  • Cholesterol absorption inhibitors: These medications lower your cholesterol levels by limiting your body’s absorption of dietary cholesterol. They’re sometimes used in combination with statins.
  • Bile acid sequestrants: These medications trap substances called bile resins, which contain cholesterol, and prevent them from being reabsorbed in your small intestine.
  • Fibrates: These medications help lower triglyceride levels in your blood.

Supplements

Omega-3 fatty acids are polyunsaturated fats naturally found in fatty fish such as salmon. Plant oils, such as canola oil and olive oil, also contain omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 supplements are available over the counter and are commonly used to lower triglycerides and LDL levels.

Niacin increases HDL production. Niacin supplements are available over the counter or in prescription strength.

Lifestyle changes

Eating a nutritious, balanced diet and getting enough exercise can help you lower your cholesterol levels. These same habits can help prevent lipid disorders.

The American Heart Association (AHA) recommends that no more than 6% of your daily calories come from saturated fat.

The Dietary Guidelines for Americans also recommend keeping trans fats and dietary cholesterol consumption as low as possible while still maintaining a healthy diet. Eating plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables can help decrease high cholesterol.

Other steps you can take to maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels include:

  • eating skinless poultry with no visible fat
  • eating lean meats in moderate portions
  • eating low fat or fat-free dairy products
  • consuming polyunsaturated fats and monounsaturated fats instead of saturated fats and trans fats
  • exercising for at least 30 minutes per day, 4 days per week
  • avoiding fast food, highly processed foods, and processed meats
  • eating grilled and roasted foods instead of fried foods
  • drinking less alcohol (alcohol causes triglyceride levels to increase)

If you have a lipid disorder, medication and lifestyle changes can help lower your cholesterol levels. By following your doctor’s treatment plan, you can help improve your health and reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.