The HLP medical abbreviation stands for hyperlipidemia, which means higher than desired levels of lipids, the fatty substances such as cholesterol and triglycerides, in the blood. It ranks among the most frequent entries in an adult medical history, usually listed next to high blood pressure and diabetes.
HLP is one of several shorthand forms for the same idea. Some clinicians write HLD instead, and plain language summaries often say high cholesterol. You will mostly see HLP in a past medical history, a problem list or a referral letter, rather than on a prescription label.
At a glance
Stands for
Hyperlipidemia (sometimes hyperlipoproteinemia in older texts)Word roots
Hyper (above), lip (fat), emia (blood condition)Written as
HLP, HLD, HL, high cholesterolMeasured by
A lipid panel blood testWhere you see it
Past medical history, problem lists, referral lettersDo not confuse with
HTN (hypertension), often listed right beside it
Breaking hyperlipidemia into word parts
The full word is built from three parts that are common across medical terms.
| Part | Meaning | Seen also in |
|---|---|---|
| hyper | Above or excessive | Hypertension, hyperglycemia |
| lip | Fat or lipid | Lipoma, lipid panel |
| emia | A condition of the blood | Anemia, hypoglycemia |
So hyperlipidemia literally means too much fat in the blood. A related word, dyslipidemia, means an unhealthy pattern of blood fats, which includes low levels of the protective HDL cholesterol as well as high levels of the others. The medical prefixes guide explains how parts like hyper combine.
How the HLP medical abbreviation looks in a history
Past medical history: "PMH: HTN, HLP, DM2, on atorvastatin 20 mg daily." PMH means past medical history, HTN is high blood pressure, DM2 is type 2 diabetes and atorvastatin is a cholesterol lowering medicine of the statin group. The dose here simply illustrates the format of a history line.
Many clinicians list these three conditions together because they share risk for heart attack and stroke. Seeing HLP in a history does not tell you how high the numbers are or whether they are now controlled with treatment. That detail lives in lab results and the clinician's assessment.
What a lipid panel measures
Hyperlipidemia is identified with a blood test called a lipid panel. It usually reports four values.
- Total cholesterol, the overall amount
- LDL cholesterol, often called bad cholesterol because it builds up in artery walls
- HDL cholesterol, often called good cholesterol because it helps clear cholesterol away
- Triglycerides, another blood fat that rises after meals and with some conditions
Targets shift with each person's overall chance of heart disease, so the same number may be fine for one person and above goal for another. Labs print their own reference ranges, and the ordering clinician interprets them.
HLP, HLD and other ways to write it
| Shorthand | Meaning | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| HLP | Hyperlipidemia | Common in histories and problem lists |
| HLD | Hyperlipidemia | Same meaning; preference varies by clinician |
| HL | Hyperlipidemia | Short form; can be ambiguous |
| High cholesterol | Raised cholesterol | Plain language version |
| Hypertriglyceridemia | High triglycerides specifically | A narrower term |
For coding, hyperlipidemia that is not further described is usually coded as E78.5 in ICD-10-CM, while more specific types such as pure high cholesterol have their own codes. Coders follow the most specific wording the clinician documented.
Why it matters and where it fits
Raised blood lipids usually cause no symptoms, which is why routine screening matters. Over years, extra LDL cholesterol contributes to plaque in arteries, which raises the chance of CAD, coronary artery disease, as well as stroke and narrowed leg arteries. Lifestyle changes and medicines can lower these levels, and the plan depends on each person's risk. Other diagnosis shorthand lives on the diagnosis abbreviations page.
Points to raise about an HLP entry
- What were my most recent lipid results, and which values are above goal?
- Is my hyperlipidemia inherited, related to another condition, or lifestyle related?
- How often should my lipid panel be repeated?
- Does my overall heart risk change my targets?
Here you will find a general explanation of the abbreviation. Your own lipid goals and any treatment are best discussed with the clinician or pharmacist who manages your care.
Frequently asked questions
What does HLP mean in a medical history?
HLP means hyperlipidemia, raised levels of cholesterol, triglycerides or both in the blood. It is usually listed in the past medical history or problem list.
Is HLP the same as HLD?
Yes. Both stand for hyperlipidemia. Different clinicians and hospitals simply prefer one form over the other.
Is hyperlipidemia the same as high cholesterol?
They overlap. High cholesterol is one kind of hyperlipidemia, but the term also covers high triglycerides. Dyslipidemia is a broader word that includes low HDL as well.
Does HLP cause symptoms?
Rarely. It is typically discovered through screening bloodwork. Very high levels can rarely cause skin deposits or inflammation of the pancreas, which a clinician would check for.