Dyslipidemia Treatment in Malaysia

What is Dyslipidemia?

Dyslipidemia is a condition in which the levels of fats (lipids) in the blood are abnormal. This may include high levels of LDL (“bad”) cholesterol or triglycerides, low levels of HDL (“good”) cholesterol, or a combination of these changes. Dyslipidemia can increase the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD), including heart attack and stroke. Some lipid abnormalities are inherited, while others are linked to diet, obesity, diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disorders, medications, or other medical conditions.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Timely diagnosis and management of dyslipidemia can reduce long-term exposure to atherogenic lipoproteins and lower the risk of cardiovascular complications. Dyslipidemia often causes no noticeable symptoms, so routine lipid testing and overall cardiovascular risk assessment are important. Treatment may involve lifestyle changes, statins, other lipid-lowering medicines, and management of underlying conditions.

What are the Common Symptoms of Dyslipidemia?

• Xanthelasma: Yellowish cholesterol deposits around the eyes or eyelids
• Tendon xanthomas: Firm deposits of cholesterol in tendons, sometimes associated with inherited lipid disorders.
• Corneal arcus: A pale or grey ring around the edge of the cornea. When present at a younger age, it may warrant assessment for an underlying lipid disorder.
• Symptoms of cardiovascular disease: If atherosclerosis develops, you may experience chest discomfort, breathlessness, or leg pain during walking. These symptoms require medical assessment and are not specific to dyslipidemia.
• Symptoms of pancreatitis: Very high triglyceride levels can cause acute pancreatitis, which may present with severe abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting and requires urgent medical care.

Causes and Risk Factors of Dyslipidemia

Causes

• Dyslipidemia may result from inherited genetic abnormalities, lifestyle factors, medical conditions, or medicines.
• Common contributors include diets high in saturated fats, excess body weight, physical inactivity, diabetes, hypothyroidism, chronic kidney disease, liver disease, and certain medicines.
• Familial hypercholesterolemia and other inherited lipid disorders can cause markedly elevated cholesterol levels from an early age.

Risk Factors

• Family history of high cholesterol or premature cardiovascular disease
• Unhealthy dietary patterns, particularly high intake of saturated or trans fats
• Physical inactivity
• Overweight or obesity
• Type 2 diabetes
• Metabolic syndrome
• Hypothyroidism
• Chronic kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Certain hormonal or metabolic disorders
• Smoking
• Excessive alcohol intake, particularly in hypertriglyceridemia
• Certain medicines
• Familial hypercholesterolemia or other inherited lipid disorders
• Increasing age
• Previous cardiovascular disease

Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Dyslipidemia in Malaysia

• Recent Malaysian research has highlighted the need to improve cholesterol control in people at high cardiovascular risk. Advances in dyslipidaemia management include personalised cardiovascular risk assessment, testing for additional markers such as lipoprotein(a) when appropriate, and combining lipid-lowering treatments when needed to achieve cholesterol targets. Malaysia's clinical practice guidelines recommend risk assessment and treatment, while access to specialised testing and newer therapies varies between centres.