Family history of hyperlipidemia. Use of oral contraceptives or estrogen. If you have diabetes, adhere closely to your treatment program. Get a medical test to check your blood level of cholesterol and its fractions. Laboratory blood studies to measure blood lipids.
Stress increases the risk of heart disease, a major complication of hyperlipidemia.
Look for ways to reduce stress in your life. Learn relaxation methods. See How to Cope with Stress in Appendix. Smoking accelerates the deposit of fats onto blood vessels. Several drugs are available with variable and unpredictable results.