Hyperlipidaemia Flashcards
What is hyperlipidaemia?
high blood levels of cholesterol, triglycerides or both
what can hyperlipidaemia lead to?
cardiovascular disease
hyperlipidaemia causes atherosclerosis and in turn:
- coronary heart disease (angina, myocardial infarctions)
- strokes and transient ischaemic attacks (TIA)
- peripheral arterial disease
What is the difference between primary and secondary prevention of cardiovascular event?
In summary, primary prevention aims to prevent the initial occurrence of cardiovascular disease, while secondary prevention focuses on preventing recurrent events and managing established heart disease.
Who needs primary prevention of cardiovascular disease?
- type 1 diabetes mellitus
- type 2 diabetes mellitus only if CVD risk > 10%
- if risk calculators e.g. QRISK 2: 10 year CVD risk > 10%
- chronic kidney disease or albuminuria
- familial hypercholesterolaemia
- 85 years and above (reduce risk of non- fatal myocardial infarction)
who needs secondary prevention of cardiovascular disease?
those with established CVD
coronary heart disease (angina, MI)
cerebrovascular disease (stroke/ transient ischaemic attack)
peripheral arterial disease
who can we NOT use the QRISK2 tool for?
patients at high cardiovascular risk as their score will be underestimated
this includes:
- type 1 diabetes mellitus
- established cardiovascular disease
- over 85 years
- chronic kidney disease (eGFR <60mL/min/1.73m2)
- familial hypercholesterolemia
how is hyperlipidaemia diagnosed?
6mmol/L total cholestrol
What are TOTAL cholesterol targets for HEALTHY ADULTS?
≤ 5mmol/ L
What are TOTAL cholesterol targets for HIGH RISK ADULTS?
≤ 4 mmol/L
what are LDL cholesterol targets for HEALTHY ADULTS?
≤ 3 mmol/L
What are LDL cholesterol targets for HGIH RISK ADULTS?
≤ 2 mmol/L
What should HDL levels be?
> 1 mmol/L
(‘good’ cholesterol- higher the better!)
What should Triglycerides levels be?
<1.7 mmol/L
What are causes of hyperlipidaemia?
DRUGS and CONDITIONS
What drugs can cause hyperlipidaemia?
- antipsychotics
- immunosuppressants
- corticosteroids
- antiretrovirals (HIV drugs)
What conditions can cause hyperlipidaemia?
- hypOthyroidism
- liver or kidney disease
- diabetes mellitus
- family history of high cholesterol
- lifestyle factors: smoking, excess alcohol consumption, obesity and a poor fatty diet
What are examples of hyperlipidaemia drugs?
statins
bile acid sequestrants
fibrates
nicotinic acid group
ezetimibe
lomitapide
alirocumab
What are examples of statins?
atorvastatin
fluvastatin
pravastatin
rosuvastatin
simvastatin
What are examples of bile acid sequestrants?
colesevelam
colestipol
colestyramine
What are examples of fibrates?
bezafibrates
ciprofibrate
fenofibrate
gemfibrozil
What are examples of nicotinic acid group?
acipimox
nicotinic acid
omega- 3 fatty acid
what is the mechanism of action of statins?
Statins work by inhibiting an enzyme called HMG-CoA reductase. This enzyme is involved in the liver’s production of cholesterol, a key component of lipoproteins (such as LDL, low-density lipoprotein) in the blood.
Lowers LDL cholesterol synthesis by the liver via inhibition of HMG- CoA reductase
By inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase, statins reduce the production of cholesterol within liver cells. This leads to a decrease in the intracellular levels of cholesterol.
Also, As a response to reduced intracellular cholesterol levels, liver cells increase the number of LDL receptors on their surface. These receptors are responsible for capturing LDL cholesterol particles circulating in the blood.
This process helps lower the levels of LDL cholesterol circulating in the blood.
Which statins must be taken at night?
All of them except Atorvastatin
(cholesterol synthesis greater at night; more effective)