Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol) Q&A

What is hyperlipidemia?

Hyperlipidemia occurs when there’s unusually high levels of lipids (fats) in the bloodstream. Hyperlipidemia is often called high cholesterol because cholesterol is one of the most common lipids that contributes to this condition.

What happens if hyperlipidemia goes untreated?

Hyperlipidemia raises the risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke.

Is there medication to treat it?

Yes. It’s recommended that most people with hyperlipidemia take a type of medication called a statin. Statins work by lowering the amount of cholesterol made by the liver and helping the liver remove cholesterol from the bloodstream.

Is there anything else I can do to treat it?

To improve heart health, try to:

• Eat foods high in soluble fiber. Soluble fiber is found in whole grains, lean proteins (like beans), healthy fats (like avocado), fruits, and vegetables.
• Avoid foods high in saturated fat (like red meat, butter, fried foods, and cheese), and cut back on carbohydrates, sweets, and processed foods.
• Get enough exercise every week. It’s recommended to do physical activity that gets your heart rate up (like brisk walking) plus some strength training.

Research shows that, if you’re overweight, losing 5–10% of your body weight can significantly improve your cholesterol levels.

How will I know if the treatment is working?

Once you’ve been taking a statin for about 3 months, your Firefly care team will ask you to complete another round of tests to check your cholesterol and liver function.

Reach out to your care team.

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