hyperlipidaemia

= hyperlipaemia; n.

the presence in the blood of an abnormally high concentration of cholesterol (see hypercholesterolaemia) and/or triglycerides (see hypertriglyceridaemia) in the form of lipoproteins, which predisposes to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease. Familial mixed hyperlipidaemia is an autosomal dominant condition that occurs in 1 in 200 people and in up to 20% of those with early-onset cardiovascular disease. It is marked by elevation of triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein, and/or very low-density lipoprotein coupled with a reduction in high-density lipoprotein.