This is the most serious form of hyperlipidaemia we recognise, both in terms of the degree to which cholesterol levels are elevated and the likelihood of atherosclerotic complications if left untreated. It affects 1 in 500 people in Britain and most other countries and is inherited in a dominant manner. That is to say, if … Read more
In most instances hyperlipidaemia will respond to appropriate changes in diet and life-style. Achievement of ideal body weight by eating less and drinking less alcohol and exercising more is of paramount importance. Failure of plasma lipids to normalise despite compliance with dietary advice, preferably given by a dietician, and despite adequate weight reduction suggests that … Read more
Up to 20% of people in Britain have a significant degree of hypercholesterolaemia but most of them are unaware of it. Clues to its existence include a family history of heart attacks in middle-age, the presence of a white ring around the iris of the eye (corneal arcus) and yellowish patches on the eyelids (xanthelasma). … Read more
Hyperlipidaemia results from an imbalance between the rate at which lipids enter the blood and the rate at which they are removed. Input is determined by the amounts produced in the liver and the amounts absorbed from the diet via the intestine. Cholesterol input is increased in people who are overweight or who eat a … Read more
Uncomplicated hyperlipidaemia seldom presents as an acute illness, except when plasma triglyceride levels are extremely high, and usually causes no symptoms. However, even quite moderate degrees of hypercholesterolaemia over the years can cause an acceleration … Read more
Lipids cannot dissolve in plasma unless the body first renders them water-soluble by combining them with specific proteins. The resultant particles are called lipoproteins. These come in several sizes and vary in the amounts of cholesterol and triglyceride they contain. Cholesterol is carried mainly in low density lipoprotein (LDL) and to lesser extent in high … Read more
Hyperlipidaemia is the medical term for too much fat in the blood. Lipids, or fats, are normal constituents of the watery part of the blood, known as plasma. There are several different types of lipid but only two need concern us here, cholesterol and triglyceride. Cholesterol is an important constituent of all our cells. Part … Read more
As stated earlier, the patient makes the first diagnosis. It is the doctor’s job to determine whether the palpitations are normal and require no treatment or abnormal in which case appropriate treatment can be given. The frequency and duration of the attacks can be relevant and a description of the patient’s sensations with the palpitations … Read more
Tachycardias (rapid beating) If ectopic beats come in runs and occur rapidly they are called tachycardias, taking their name from the site of origin of the ectopic e.g., atria, AV node or ventricular tachycardias. These tachycardias cause symptoms because the heart rate is increased to approximately 200 beats a minute. At this rate the heart … Read more
The heart has four chambers, two upper ones called the atria and two lower ones called the ventricles. The whole heart works electrically by a very small surge of current which is controlled by the pacemaker (the sinus node). The pacemaker lies in the right atrium and generates rhythmical electrical impulses which pass through both … Read more