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Diagnosis of Hypercholesterolemia: Lipid Profile, Elevated LDL, and Cardiovascular Risk Factors

Medical consultation in a modern clinic where a Hispanic physician in his 40s, wearing a white coat and stethoscope, explains a lipid profile graph on a tablet to a Hispanic female patient in her 50s. The patient, dressed casually, displays interest and concern. In the background, there are medical posters about cardiovascular risk, hypercholesterolemia diagnosis, and elevated LDL levels.

Hypercholesterolemia is a significant risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases, with the lipid profile serving as an essential tool for its diagnosis. Early identification of elevated LDL levels and other dyslipidemias is crucial for preventing cardiovascular events. In this context, accurate diagnosis and assessment of cardiovascular risk factors are fundamental for implementing effective therapeutic strategies.

Lipid Profile and Its Importance in Diagnosis

The lipid profile is a set of tests that measures the levels of different types of lipids in the blood, including total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, and triglycerides. A recent study highlights the importance of systematic evaluation of LDL as part of the overall assessment of cardiovascular risk in adults. Furthermore, it has been shown that reducing LDL through treatments such as statins can significantly decrease the incidence of major vascular events (see study).

The non-fasting evaluation of the lipid profile has gained acceptance, as variations in lipid levels after meals are not clinically significant. This facilitates patient adherence to diagnostic testing, allowing for broader and earlier detection of hypercholesterolemia.

Risk Factors and New Therapies

Managing hypercholesterolemia focuses not only on diagnosis but also on identifying and modifying cardiovascular risk factors. Obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and hypertension are factors that contribute to cardiovascular risk. A recent study has demonstrated that hypertriglyceridemia and hypercholesterolemia are risk factors for acute pancreatitis, especially in young and middle-aged men.

Regarding emerging therapies, bempedoic acid and inclisiran have shown effectiveness in reducing LDL in patients with statin intolerance or those who do not reach LDL targets with standard therapy (see study), (see study). These therapeutic options offer new hope for managing hypercholesterolemia in high-risk patients.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of hypercholesterolemia through the lipid profile is an essential component in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases. Identifying elevated LDL levels and other risk factors allows for the implementation of personalized therapeutic strategies. With the advancement of new therapies and the adoption of non-fasting evaluations, there is an expectation to improve the detection and management of dyslipidemias, thereby reducing cardiovascular risk in the population.

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Created 2/1/2025