Mixed Hyperlipidema yet okay total cholesterol?

[Jerry_NJ]

I had a cholesterol blood test in late July and a 6 month check up with my Cardiologist on July 30.  As usual I asked for the blood test result details  The total Cholesterol is 166 and while the Triglycerides are on the high acceptable side my HDL is very good and the ratio of it to LDL and Total Cholesterol are "off scale" on the good side.  Yet, another report I got as I was scheduled for a routine echocardiogram shows:  Mixed Hyperlipidema, which I in general understand to point to a cholesterol problem...not at all sure what the "mixed" is supposed to mean.  When untreated my Cholesterol ran about 240.  I take 10 mg of Simvastatin to obtain the better level of 166, I had taken 20 mg for a few years and had a number closer to 130, but I think there is a general concern about the affects of high dose (40 mg I think) use of Samvistatin, and my doctor wants to be on the safe side, thus I now take 10 mg.  

Does the report "Mixed Hyperlipidema" just mean I have a cholesterol problem that requires treatment?

I hate to go back to ask my Cardiologist as I am on Medicare (USA) and the payment paid by Medicare is rather low.  He did answer all my questions during my examination, but I didn't see the report until I sat down and home and read it.

[DeltaDawn23]

They have to put a diagnosis on those orders, so I don't think it necessarily means anything new is wrong.  My doctor routinely lists all my diagnoses when he orders blood work.  Actually, your numbers sound excellent to me.  I am unable to take the statins, but my previous cholesterol was 185 (this time up to 209) and my trigylcerides are 210, lower than they've ever been! I believe this is due to plant stearols and exercise.   It sounds like you are under good care and managing your condition very well.  I would ask the nurse to ask the doctor if you are concerned.  That way you get your answer with minimal consumption of his time.  Good luck.

[Jerry_NJ]

Thanks, it was the "Mixed" part that had me totally lost.  Looking closer at the report and the punctuation, I think it really says "Non-Rheumatic Mixed Hyperlipidemia" to add to the complexity of the meaning.

The report also noted:  S/P Mirtral Valve Repair (I had heart valve surgery in 2007), Persistent AFib (which is my ongoing heart disease problem), and Mitral Regurgitation (which says the repair is less than perfect).  The echo results should put current numbers on some of these issues.  Interestingly the report makes no mention of an enlarged left atrium.  

The report was related to the "order" to do an echocardiogram.  

[is_something_wrong]

Hi Jerry.

I agree, it's rather confusing. But as an example, if you are treated with statins, you still have hyperlipidemia, just that it's controlled with medication. The same goes for high blood pressure after treatment, and angina pectoris after stenting or bypass.

Mixed hyperlipidemia is the condition where both cholesterol and triglycerides are elevated (before treatment), in contrast to hypercholesterolemia where only the cholesterol is elevated.

I hope this helps.