What is dyslipidemia and how is it related to cardiovascular disease?
Dyslipidemia is an abnormal amount of lipids (fats) in the blood, such as cholesterol and triglycerides. It is associated with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD), which is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States (U.S.) and globally. CVD is caused by atherosclerosis, which is the buildup of plaque (i.e., cholesterol, proteins, calcium, and inflammatory cells) in the walls of arteries. This plaque can narrow the lumen of arteries, limiting the flow of oxygenated blood and increasing the risk of chronic and acute ischemia. If a plaque ruptures within a vital artery, a blood clot forms and may obstruct the flow of oxygenated blood to the heart or brain, resulting in an acute coronary syndrome (ACS), myocardial infarction (MI), or stroke, with potentially irreversible damage to the tissue of the heart or brain. 