ScienceAugust 3, 2026

hypercholesterolemia

hy-per-kuh-les-tuh-ruh-LEE-mee-uh

Definition

A condition characterized by abnormally high levels of cholesterol in the blood, which can be caused by genetic factors.

Etymology

The term is derived from Greek roots: 'hyper-' meaning over or excessive, 'chole-' related to bile, 'stereos' meaning solid, and '-emia' referring to a condition of the blood.

In the news

In the article, the term is used to describe a specific inherited genetic disorder that increases the risk of heart disease, highlighting why genomic screening is medically valuable.

Harnessing Genomics To Prevent Disease

Read the full article ↗

Mirage News

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