How to develop individualized lipid-lowering plans and reference standards for patients with hyperlipidemia

Lipid-lowering treatment plans should be tailored to the individual: Higher blood cholesterol levels correlate with earlier onset of coronary heart disease; a 1% reduction in blood cholesterol can decrease the risk of coronary heart disease by 2%. Low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) have opposite effects: an increase in LDL increases the risk of coronary heart disease, while an increase in HDL decreases the risk. Therefore, if elevated blood lipids are detected for the first time, consult a doctor as soon as possible.

The risk of hyperlipidemia depends not only on the degree of lipid elevation but also on the presence of atherosclerosis or other risk factors. Treatment must consider both the elevated lipid levels and other risk factors.

Due to these risk factors, the starting point for dietary therapy and lipid-lowering medication will vary for each hyperlipidemia patient, as will the target lipid levels. Generally, those with atherosclerosis or other risk factors should begin treatment at relatively low lipid levels. Patients should choose the optimal timing and plan for lipid-lowering treatment under the guidance of a doctor, based on their individual circumstances.

It's important to understand the standard levels of blood lipids: Lipids in human blood are insoluble in water and must bind to apolipoproteins to circulate in the bloodstream as lipoproteins, supplying the body with necessary nutrients and ensuring normal physiological functions.

Therefore, excessively high blood lipid levels are called hyperlipidemia, also known as hyperlipoproteinemia. While the word "hyperlipidemia" is used here, it only indicates abnormal blood lipid levels and is not yet a disease itself.

In a health checkup, the following values ​​should be used as standards: Total cholesterol: less than 220 mg/dL is considered normal. A value not exceeding 239 mg/dL is still considered borderline or slightly elevated, while 240 mg/dL is abnormally high. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C): greater than 45 mg/dL is considered normal. A value lower than 36 mg/dL is still considered borderline or slightly low, while a value lower than 35 mg/dL is abnormally low. Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C): less than 130 mg/dL is considered normal. A value not exceeding 159 mg/dL is still considered borderline or slightly elevated, while a value exceeding 160 mg/dL is abnormally high. Triglycerides: 200 mg/dL is considered normal, while a value exceeding 200 mg/dL is abnormally high. The apolipoprotein A/B ratio should be above 1.30; in cases of abnormal blood lipids, the A/B ratio often drops below 1.0. If these values ​​are not met, further examination is recommended.