Hyperlipidemia incidence is on the rise and lifestyle behavior change is the first-line therapy. Left untreated, hyperlipidemia can result in cardiovascular disease leading to increased morbidity and mortality in persons worldwide. Evidence has demonstrated behavioral changes such as increased exercise, healthy nutrition, smoking cessation, alcohol abstinence, and other lifestyle modification interventions significantly decrease the incidence and severity of hyperlipidemia. The purpose of this article is to review the evidence of lifestyle interventions in preventing and managing hyperlipidemia and to suggest innovative ways to integrate those techniques into clinical practice. Recommendations on hyperlipidemia specific to pregnancy, polycystic ovary syndrome, and estrogen deficiency are also discussed.
Keywords: alcohol abstinence; behavior change; cardiovascular disease; disease prevention; exercise; hyperlipidemia; lifestyle medicine; nutrition; smoking cessation.
© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Midwifery & Women's Health published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American College of Nurse Midwives (ACNM).