Springer international publishing switzerland

Dyslipidemias are disorders encompassing abnormal function and/or levels of plasma lipoproteins. In routine clinical practice, they are detected by altered plasma lipid levels, which can be elevated (hyperlipidemia) or decreased (hypolipidemia). Normal lipid levels are not synonymous to desirable (optimal or physiological) levels. Dyslipidemias are of extreme clinical importance due to their association with atherosclerosis and rates of heart attack and stroke. The desirable level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) is <100 mg/dL, while the non-HDL-C desirable level is <130 mg/dL. High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is considered low when <40 mg/dL in men and <50 mg/dL in women. Triglycerides (TGs) are above normal when >150 mg/dL after a 12 h fast [1].