How Avi Medical helps you with cholesterol

More than fifty percent of the German population between the ages of 18 and 79 has too much cholesterol in their blood. The problem: this hypercholesterolaemia can have numerous health consequences. For example, the development of serious vascular diseases such as atherosclerosis. Early diagnosis and targeted treatment are therefore essential. Avi Medical supports you in this at all our locations.

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What is hypercholesterolaemia?

The clinical picture of hypercholesterolaemia refers to an elevated level of cholesterol in the blood. 

Cholesterol is a so-called isoprenoid and thus an essential building block of numerous natural plant and animal substances. As such, it is found in food, but is also produced by the body itself. 

Its tasks: Cholesterol is a component of cell membranes and in this function is important for their stability and deformability. It also serves as "packaging" for molecules that are transported through the organism, forms the precursor of important hormones and bile acids and, finally, is also an essential part of the body's own vitamin D synthesis.

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At what point is it hypercholesterolaemia?

The clinical picture of hypercholesterolaemia is diagnosed in the blood from a total cholesterol value of more than 190mg/dL. From 240mg/dL upwards, the cholesterol is even considered to be severely elevated .

The exact composition of the elevated cholesterol can vary from person to person.

Because: Cholesterol occurs in the body in different "transport forms". The so-called " good" cholesterol is HDL. The "bad" ch olesterol is LDL, which is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease.  

Depending on the severity of the anomaly, the total cholesterol value or only the LDL can be elevated. The good cholesterol HDL, on the other hand, is often even reduced inhypercholesterolaemia.

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What are the triggers of hypercholesterolaemia?

Possible triggers of hypercholesterolaemia include: 

• Genetic predisposition (such as familial hypercholesterolaemia)
• Malnutrition (alcohol, too many trans fats and saturated fatty acid from highly processed foods)
• Lack of exercise
• Pre-existing conditions, such as hypothyroidism, kidney damage and diabetes mellitus type 2
• a pregnancy
• certain medicines such as hormone preparations and AIDS medicines

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What are the symptoms of hypercholesterolaemia?

Hypercholesterolaemia is usually asymptomatic for a long time and is often only discovered through accompanying and secondary symptoms. These include: 

• Artherosclerotic events (heart attack, stroke)
• Lipid deposits in the skin (yellow spots or nodules)
• Fatty liver

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Treatment of hypercholesterolaemia at Avi Medical

The successful treatment of hypercholesterolaemia begins with early diagnosis . At Avi Medical, this includes a holistic screening consisting of the following components:

• Taking an anamnesis (also family anamnesis)
• Laboratory test (total cholesterol)
• If the result is abnormal, the LDL, HDL and triglycerol ("blood fat") values are also determined. 

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In the subsequent therapy, the following measures follow, depending on the severity of the hypercholesterolaemia: 

• Lifestyle changes (healthy diet and sufficient exercise)
• Supportive: medication (e.g. statins alone or in combination with other lipid-lowering drugs) 

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In the final step, our experienced doctors ensure your continued health with comprehensive aftercare. This includes: 

• regular laboratory controls
• In patients at high risk: additional examinations such as an ultrasound of the liver.  

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