Having high lipid levels means you have unhealthy levels of certain fats, including triglycerides and cholesterol, in your bloodstream. These fats are also called lipids. You may hear your care team refer to this condition as hyperlipidemia.

Hyperlipidemia can happen when your body makes too much lipid, when your body does not clear lipids from your blood normally, or both. The excess lipids build up in your arteries, blocking blood flow to the heart and increasing the risk of heart attack.

Treatment may include lifestyle changes, medications, or both.

Work with your care team to plan and make the following changes to help manage high lipid levels.

A heart-healthy diet based on fruits, vegetables and whole grains — and low in refined carbohydrates, sugars, saturated fat and sodium — can help you control your cholesterol as well as your weight, blood pressure and blood sugar. Your dietitian or health care provider may prescribe a specific dietary treatment tailored to your medical situation.

Regular exercise can condition your muscles to use oxygen more efficiently, improve circulation, help lower blood pressure and reduce your risk of diabetes.

If you're overweight, losing just 5% to 10% of your body weight can help reduce your risk of developing hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis). Atherosclerosis is caused by a buildup of lipids and other substances in your blood vessels. This buildup may interfere with blood flow.

Reduce stress as much as possible. Practice healthy techniques for managing stress, such as muscle relaxation and deep breathing.

Your care team also may prescribe medications that slow or even reverse the effects of high lipid levels, including atherosclerosis. These drugs may include:

• Cholesterol medications. These include drugs known as statins and fibrates.
• Anti-platelet medications. These drugs help prevent platelets from clumping and leading to blood clot.
• Beta blockers. These medications lower your heart rate and blood pressure.
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. These medications lower blood pressure and benefit the health of your arteries. ACE inhibitors can also reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks.
• Calcium channel blockers. These medications lower blood pressure and are sometimes used to treat angina.
• Water pills (diuretics). High blood pressure is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis. Diuretics lower blood pressure.
• Other medications. Your health care provider may suggest certain medications to control specific risk factors for atherosclerosis, such as diabetes. Sometimes specific medications to treat symptoms of atherosclerosis, such as leg pain during exercise, are prescribed.