What is the medical term for having excessive fat in the blood?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Hyperlipidemia is the medical term for having too much fat (lipids), such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood. This common condition often has no symptoms but can quietly raise your risk of heart disease, stroke, and other serious cardiovascular problems if left unmanaged.

Because hyperlipidemia is typically silent, many people don't realize they have it until complications arise. Understanding your risk early gives you the best chance to make lifestyle changes, seek treatment, and protect your long-term health. If you're concerned about symptoms or your risk factors, taking a free, instant, online symptom check can help you clarify what may be going on and guide your next steps with confidence.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/20/2026

Important Next Steps

Learn if excessive fat in blood is serious Discover likely causes of high blood fats Find out what high fat blood means See OTC options for high blood fats Find a doctor for lipid disorders Understand home remedies for high blood fats Check if blood fat levels need care

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Explanation

Hyperlipidemia means there is too much fat in the blood. This can include high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides.

Why It Matters

Having too much fat in the blood can be bad for your heart and blood vessels. This is because it can lead to conditions like heart disease.

What Causes It?

Lifestyle: Eating a lot of fatty foods or not exercising enough can increase blood fat levels.
Medical Conditions: Some medical conditions can also cause hyperlipidemia.

How Is It Related to Other Conditions?

Metabolic Syndrome: This is a group of problems that happen together, like high blood pressure and high blood sugar, which can also include high blood fats.

Understanding hyperlipidemia is important because it helps in managing and preventing heart-related diseases. If you're experiencing symptoms or want to check your risk factors, try our free AI-powered symptom checker to learn more about your health.

(References)

Bays HE. (2011). Adiposopathy is "sick fat" a cardiovascular disease?. Journal of the American College of Cardiology, 21679848.
Johannsson G, & Bengtsson BA. (1999). Growth hormone and the metabolic syndrome. Journal of endocrinological investigation, 10442570.
Simha V, & Garg A. (2002). Body fat distribution and metabolic derangements in .... The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism, 11836320.

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