What Is Lipemia?

According to Reference.com, lipemia is the presence of excess lipids or fats in the bloodstream. Hyperlipemia, hyperlipidemia and lipemia all refer to the same condition of having excess levels of fat in the blood.

The American Heart Association maintains that hyperlipemia, or a high lipid level in the blood, refers specifically to elevated cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Because some types of cholesterol are good for health and others lead to an increased risk for disease, a complete lipid profile is required before the physician decides on a treatment plan. A healthy diet and moderate exercise are the first steps toward lowering lipids in the bloodstream. Medications are sometimes prescribed for the condition if diet and exercise do not lower lipid levels enough.

The American Heart Association recommends consulting with a physician to develop a treatment plan that targets the specific types of lipids that are elevated to reduce the risk of stroke or heart disease. Other tips for those with lipemia include reading food labels to avoid high cholesterol items and items that are high in trans fat and cutting back on red meat and high-fat dairy products. People with lipemia also need to increase their fiber intake and choose healthy oils for cooking. Patients who lose weight and increase their activity levels may be able to reverse lipemia.

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