Hyperlipidemia is an elevation of lipids (fats) in the bloodstream. These lipids include cholesterol, cholesterol esters (compounds), phospholipids and triglycerides. They're transported in the blood as part of large molecules called lipoproteins.

These are the five major families of blood (plasma) lipoproteins:

• chylomicrons
• very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL)
• intermediate-density lipoproteins (IDL)
• low-density lipoproteins (LDL)
• high-density lipoproteins (HDL)

What are the types of hyperlipidemia?

When hyperlipidemia is defined in terms of a class or classes of elevated lipoproteins in the blood, the term hyperlipoproteinemia is used. Hypercholesterolemia is the term for high cholesterol levels in the blood. Hypertriglyceridemia refers to high triglyceride levels in the blood.

Related AHA publications:

• Understanding and Controlling Cholesterol 
• "What Do My Cholesterol Levels Mean?" and "How Can I Lower High Cholesterol?" in Answers By Heart kit (also in Spanish kit)
• "What Are High Blood Cholesterol and Triglycerides?" and "What Is Cholesterol-Lowering Medicine?" in Answers By Heart kit