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高脂血症

B1 noun 9 min read

高脂血症

kōshiketsushō

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 高脂血症 in 30 Seconds

Explanation 高脂血症 in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't need to use the word '高脂血症' (Kōshikesshō) yourself, but you might see it on a health form. Think of it as 'bad blood fat.' The word is made of four parts: High + Fat + Blood + Illness. In Japan, doctors look at your blood every year to make sure you are healthy. If you see this word, it means the person should eat more vegetables and less oily food like fried chicken. It is a very formal word. For now, you can just say 'Cholesterol is high' (コレステロールが高いです) which is much easier to remember and say.

At the A2 level, you should recognize '高脂血症' as a medical condition related to lifestyle. You will see it in Japanese pharmacies and on TV. It is one of the 'lifestyle diseases' (生活習慣病). You can use it in simple sentences like 'My father has Kōshikesshō' (父は高脂血症です). It is important to know that the '脂' means 'fat' (like in 'abura'). This word is common because Japanese people care a lot about their blood test results. If you go to a Japanese hospital for a checkup, keep an eye out for these four kanji.

As a B1 learner, you should be able to use '高脂血症' in discussions about health and daily habits. You should know that it's a formal term for hyperlipidemia. You should also be aware of the verb pairings like '高脂血症になる' (to get it) and '高脂血症を予防する' (to prevent it). At this level, you can explain the condition simply: 'It's a condition where there is too much fat in the blood, which is bad for the heart.' You might also start noticing the synonym '脂質異常症' (Shishitsu Ijōshō) and understand that they are essentially the same thing in a practical context.

At the B2 level, you should understand the nuance between '高脂血症' and '脂質異常症.' You should know that the latter is the official clinical term used by doctors since 2007, but the former is still widely used by the public. You can discuss the causes (like genetics or '食生活の乱れ' - disrupted eating habits) and the consequences (like '動脈硬化' - atherosclerosis). You should be comfortable reading health brochures that use this term and be able to summarize the advice given, such as 'reducing neutral fats' (中性脂肪を減らす) and 'improving lifestyle habits' (生活習慣を改善する).

At the C1 level, you should be able to discuss '高脂血症' in the context of Japanese public health policy and the aging society. You can use it in formal writing or presentations about 'metabolic syndrome' and the economic impact of chronic diseases on the Japanese healthcare system. You should understand specific sub-terms like '家族性高脂血症' (familial hyperlipidemia) and be able to interpret medical data involving LDL and HDL cholesterol. Your usage should be precise, using the term within complex grammatical structures like '高脂血症の遷延化が懸念される' (the prolongation of hyperlipidemia is a concern).

At the C2 level, you possess a near-native understanding of '高脂血症' within medical, social, and historical contexts. You can analyze medical papers or insurance policies that use the term. You understand the historical shift in terminology and the epidemiological studies conducted in Japan (like the Hisayama Study) that link this condition to stroke and heart disease in the Japanese population. You can navigate high-level discussions regarding the pharmaceutical market for statins and the nuances of Japanese dietary guidelines (Washoku vs. Westernized diets) in managing this condition.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

高脂血症 in 30 Seconds

高脂血症 means hyperlipidemia, a condition of high blood fat levels.
It consists of four kanji: High (高), Fat (脂), Blood (血), and Illness (症).
While the official medical term is now 脂質異常症, this term is still widely used.
It is a key 'lifestyle disease' often discussed during Japanese annual health checkups.

The term 高脂血症 (こうしけっしょう - Kōshikesshō) is a medical and formal noun used to describe a condition where there are abnormally high levels of lipids (fats), such as cholesterol or triglycerides, in the blood. For English speakers, this is most directly translated as hyperlipidemia. In the context of Japanese society, where health checkups (健康診断 - kenkō shindan) are a mandatory annual event for employees, this word is frequently encountered in medical reports and consultations. It belongs to a cluster of conditions known as 生活習慣病 (seikatsu shūkan byō) or 'lifestyle-related diseases,' which also include hypertension and diabetes. Understanding this word requires looking at its four constituent kanji: 高 (high), 脂 (fat/lipid), 血 (blood), and 症 (illness/condition). Together, they create a literal map of the diagnosis: a condition of high fat in the blood.

Medical Context: While '高脂血症' was the standard term for decades, the Japan Atherosclerosis Society officially changed the preferred clinical term to 脂質異常症 (shishitsu ijōshō) in 2007. This change occurred because 'hyper' (high) didn't accurately cover cases like low HDL cholesterol, which is also a lipid disorder. However, in daily conversation, older medical documents, and general health discussions, 高脂血症 remains the most widely recognized term by the general public.

健康診断の結果、高脂血症の疑いがあると診断されました。 (As a result of my health checkup, I was diagnosed with suspected hyperlipidemia.)

When people use this word, they are often discussing long-term health management. It is rarely used in emergency settings but frequently appears in discussions about diet, exercise, and preventative medicine. In Japan, the 'metabolic syndrome' (メタボ) awareness campaigns have made terms like this part of the common lexicon. If a doctor tells a patient they have Kōshikesshō, the immediate follow-up usually involves advice on reducing saturated fats and increasing physical activity. It carries a nuance of 'warning'—a state that isn't necessarily painful now but could lead to serious issues like atherosclerosis (動脈硬化) or heart disease later.

Social Nuance: In social settings, mentioning one's 'Kōshikesshō' is often a way to explain why one is avoiding certain fatty foods like ramen or fried pork cutlets (tonkatsu) at a group dinner. It serves as a socially acceptable 'medical reason' for dietary restrictions.

父は高脂血症なので、食事にはとても気を使っています。 (Since my father has hyperlipidemia, he is very careful about his diet.)

The word is also prominent in pharmaceutical advertising. Medications for lowering cholesterol (statin drugs) are frequently marketed with references to managing Kōshikesshō. For a learner at the B1 level, mastering this word demonstrates an ability to navigate practical, adult-level Japanese life, particularly concerning health and wellness, which are major topics in Japanese media and daily conversation.

Using 高脂血症 correctly involves understanding its grammatical role as a noun and the specific verbs that typically follow it. It is most commonly used as the subject of a diagnosis or the target of a preventative action. Because it is a medical condition, it is frequently paired with verbs like naru (to become/develop), shindan sareru (to be diagnosed), and kaizen suru (to improve).

Common Verb Pairings: 1. ～になる (to get/develop hyperlipidemia)
2. ～を治療する (to treat hyperlipidemia)
3. ～を予防する (to prevent hyperlipidemia)
4. ～と診断される (to be diagnosed with hyperlipidemia)

不摂生な生活を続けていると、高脂血症になるリスクが高まります。 (If you continue an unhealthy lifestyle, the risk of developing hyperlipidemia increases.)

When discussing the condition in a more formal or clinical sense, you might use the particle による to indicate that another condition is caused by hyperlipidemia. For example, 'atherosclerosis caused by hyperlipidemia' would be 高脂血症による動脈硬化. This demonstrates the causal link often discussed in medical contexts. Conversely, to discuss the cause of the hyperlipidemia itself, you might say 食生活の乱れが高脂血症を招く (Disrupted eating habits lead to hyperlipidemia).

In a sentence describing a state, you can use ～気味 (gimi) to mean 'a touch of' or 'leaning towards.' While doctors might not use this for a formal diagnosis, a patient might say 最近、高脂血症気味なんだ (Recently, I've been a bit hyperlipidemic-ish) to describe borderline results. This adds a layer of colloquial nuance to an otherwise stiff medical term.

高脂血症の治療には、薬物療法だけでなく運動も重要です。 (In the treatment of hyperlipidemia, not only drug therapy but also exercise is important.)

Finally, consider the use of 改善 (kaizen). In Japanese health culture, there is a strong emphasis on 'improving' one's numbers. You will often see phrases like 高脂血症を改善するための食事 (Diet for improving hyperlipidemia). This highlights the proactive approach Japanese people are encouraged to take regarding their health data.

You are most likely to hear 高脂血症 in settings related to healthcare, aging, and corporate wellness in Japan. Japan has a very robust system of annual health checks called Ningen Dock or Kenkō Shindan. During these checkups, employees receive a detailed sheet of blood test results. If the 'neutral fat' (中性脂肪) or 'LDL cholesterol' (悪玉コレステロール) columns are marked with an 'E' or 'F' grade, the doctor will likely use the word Kōshikesshō during the follow-up consultation.

Setting: The Doctor's Office: Doctor: '血液検査の結果、高脂血症の傾向が見られますね。油っこいものは控えめにしてください。' (Based on the blood test results, we see a tendency toward hyperlipidemia. Please cut back on oily foods.)

テレビの健康番組で、高脂血症の予防法が紹介されていた。 (A prevention method for hyperlipidemia was introduced on a TV health program.)

Another common place to hear this word is on television. Japan has many variety shows dedicated to health (健康番組), where doctors explain the dangers of various conditions using colorful graphics. They might show a tube of 'thick' blood to illustrate Kōshikesshō. This visual representation has made the word very familiar even to people who don't have the condition. Furthermore, in pharmacies (薬局), you might hear a pharmacist explaining a prescription: これは高脂血症のお薬です (This is a medicine for hyperlipidemia).

In the workplace, HR departments often hold seminars on preventing 'Metabolic Syndrome.' The word Kōshikesshō will appear in the slides alongside terms like Kōketsuatsu (high blood pressure) and Tōnyōbyō (diabetes). Because Japanese work culture often involves nomikai (drinking parties) with high-calorie foods, managing this condition is a frequent topic of office small talk among middle-aged managers.

うちの会社では、高脂血症対策としてヘルシーな社内食堂のメニューが増えました。 (As a countermeasure against hyperlipidemia, healthy menu items have increased in our company cafeteria.)

Lastly, you will see it in the news when discussing national health statistics or the rising cost of medical care for the elderly. It is a 'key word' in the narrative of Japan as a 'Super-Aging Society' (超高齢社会).

While 高脂血症 is a straightforward medical term, learners often make a few specific errors in its usage, pronunciation, and conceptual application. The most common mistake is confusing it with other 'lifestyle diseases' that share the same first kanji, 高 (high).

Mistake 1: Term Confusion: Many learners accidentally say 高血圧 (kōketsuatsu - high blood pressure) when they mean 高脂血症. While they are related, they are distinct. Remember: 脂 (shi) means fat, and 圧 (atsu) means pressure. If the issue is cholesterol, you must use the one with 'fat' in it.

Incorrect: 彼は高脂血症だから血圧が高い。 (He has high blood pressure because he has hyperlipidemia.)
Correct: 彼は高脂血症なので、コレステロール値が高い。 (He has hyperlipidemia, so his cholesterol levels are high.)

Another mistake involves the verb choice. In English, we might say 'I have high cholesterol.' In Japanese, you 'become' the condition (naru) or 'are' the condition (da/desu). You don't 'possess' it with the verb motsu. Using motte iru (to have/hold) sounds like you are carrying the disease in your hand like an object.

A conceptual mistake is using 高脂血症 to describe being overweight. While they often go together, they are not synonyms. A thin person can have 高脂血症 due to genetics or poor diet. Using the word as a polite way to say 'fat' is medically inaccurate and might lead to confusion. If you want to talk about obesity, the word is 肥満 (himan).

Mistake 2: Particle Errors: When saying 'due to hyperlipidemia,' use 高脂血症で or 高脂血症によって. Avoid using 'から' in formal medical contexts as it sounds too casual and less precise.

Finally, ensure you don't confuse the official term 脂質異常症 with this one in a way that implies they are different diseases. They refer to the same clinical reality. If a doctor uses the newer term and you use the older one, it's fine, but don't ask 'Is that different from Kōshikesshō?'—it might make the conversation circular.

To truly master the vocabulary surrounding 高脂血症, one must understand its synonyms and related terms. The Japanese language often has multiple ways to describe the same health issue, ranging from highly technical to very colloquial.

脂質異常症 (Shishitsu Ijōshō): This is the current official medical term. 'Shishitsu' (Lipid) + 'Ijō' (Abnormality) + 'Shō' (Condition). It is more accurate because it includes low levels of 'good' cholesterol, not just 'high' levels of fat. Use this in hospitals to sound up-to-date.
コレステロールが高い (Koresuterōru ga takai): This is the most common colloquial way to express the condition. Literally 'Cholesterol is high.' If you are at a dinner party and want to explain why you aren't eating the skin on the chicken, this is the phrase to use.
中性脂肪が多い (Chūsei shibō ga ooi): 'Neutral fats (triglycerides) are many.' This refers to a specific type of lipid often associated with alcohol consumption and sugary foods.

Comparison:
1. 高脂血症 (Formal/General)
2. 脂質異常症 (Academic/Clinical)
3. ドロドロ血液 (Slang/Descriptive - 'Muddy/Sludgy blood')

The term Dorodoro Ketsueki is a vivid, onomatopoeic slang term often used in health magazines and TV shows. It describes the blood of someone with Kōshikesshō as being thick and slow-moving like mud. While not a medical term, it is extremely common in the 'wellness' industry. On the opposite end, Sarashara Ketsueki (smooth/silky blood) is the goal.

Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the right word for the right audience. Use Kōshikesshō with your boss or in a report, Shishitsu Ijōshō with your doctor, and Koresuterōru ga takai with your friends. This flexibility is a hallmark of the B1-B2 transition in Japanese proficiency.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The '脂' (shi) kanji specifically refers to animal fat or solid fat, whereas '油' (yu) usually refers to liquid oil. This is why medical conditions use '脂'.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /kəʊ.ʃi.kes.ʃəʊ/

US /koʊ.ʃi.kes.ʃoʊ/

In Japanese, pitch accent is 'Heiban' (flat) or slightly rising on 'shi'. KŌ-SHI-KES-SHŌ.

Rhymes With

結晶 (Kesshō - Crystal) 決勝 (Kesshō - Final match) 月謝 (Gessha - Monthly fee) 熱唱 (Nesshō - Singing with passion) 合唱 (Gasshō - Chorus) 一考 (Ikkō - Consideration) 絶唱 (Zesshō - Superb song) 血行 (Kekkō - Blood circulation)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'shi' as 'ji'.
Shortening the long 'ō' sounds in 'Kō' and 'shō'.
Confusing the reading of 脂 (shi) with its kun-yomi 'abura'.
Missing the small 'tsu' pause in 'kesshō'.
Swapping 'kesshō' with 'kessatsu' (pressure).

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

The kanji are logical but the compound is long. Common in adult materials.

Writing 4/5

Writing '脂' and '症' correctly requires practice with strokes.

Speaking 3/5

Pronunciation is rhythmic but requires clear long vowels.

Listening 3/5

Easily recognized once you know 'kō' and 'shō' patterns.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

高い (High) 血 (Blood) 病気 (Illness) 脂 (Fat) 検査 (Test)

Learn Next

脂質異常症 (Dyslipidemia) 動脈硬化 (Atherosclerosis) コレステロール (Cholesterol) 中性脂肪 (Triglycerides) 処方箋 (Prescription)

Advanced

虚血性心疾患 (Ischemic heart disease) 血栓 (Thrombus) 血管内皮 (Vascular endothelium) スタチン (Statin) 代謝 (Metabolism)

Grammar to Know

Noun + と診断される (To be diagnosed with...)

彼は高脂血症と診断された。

Noun + による + Noun (Noun caused by Noun)

高脂血症による健康被害。

Noun + 気味 (Tending towards...)

最近、高脂血症気味だ。

～ために (In order to...)

高脂血症を治すために薬を飲む。

～を控える (To cut back on...)

高脂血症なので油物を控える。

Examples by Level

これは高脂血症の本です。

This is a book about hyperlipidemia.

Simple AはBです structure.

父は高脂血症です。

My father has hyperlipidemia.

Using 'desu' to state a condition.

高脂血症は怖いです。

Hyperlipidemia is scary.

Adjective 'kowai' describing the noun.

高脂血症の薬を飲みます。

I take medicine for hyperlipidemia.

Noun + no + Noun.

高脂血症を知っていますか？

Do you know (about) hyperlipidemia?

Question form of 'shitte iru'.

彼は高脂血症ではありません。

He does not have hyperlipidemia.

Negative form 'dewa arimasen'.

高脂血症と健康について。

About hyperlipidemia and health.

Using 'to' for 'and' and 'ni tsuite' for 'about'.

病院で高脂血症と言われました。

I was told 'hyperlipidemia' at the hospital.

Passive form 'iwaremashita'.

高脂血症になると、大変です。

If you get hyperlipidemia, it's serious.

Condition 'to' meaning 'when/if'.

高脂血症は生活習慣病の一つです。

Hyperlipidemia is one of the lifestyle-related diseases.

Noun + no hitotsu (one of...).

甘いものを食べすぎると高脂血症になります。

If you eat too many sweets, you will get hyperlipidemia.

Verb 'tabesugiru' + condition 'to'.

母は高脂血症の疑いがあります。

My mother is suspected of having hyperlipidemia.

Noun 'utagai' (suspicion/doubt).

高脂血症を治すために運動します。

I exercise to cure hyperlipidemia.

Verb 'naosu' + 'tame ni' (in order to).

昨日、高脂血症の検査をしました。

Yesterday, I had a test for hyperlipidemia.

Noun 'kensa' + 'suru' (to test).

高脂血症は血がドロドロになります。

In hyperlipidemia, the blood becomes thick/sludgy.

Onomatopoeia 'dorodoro'.

高脂血症の人は何を食べればいいですか？

What should people with hyperlipidemia eat?

Conditional 'ba' + 'ii desu ka'.

高脂血症と診断されたので、お酒を控えています。

Since I was diagnosed with hyperlipidemia, I am cutting back on alcohol.

Passive 'shindan sareta' + 'node' (because).

最近の健康診断で高脂血症の数値が上がってしまった。

My hyperlipidemia numbers went up in my recent health checkup.

Verb 'agaru' + 'shimatta' (regret/completion).

高脂血症を放置すると、血管が詰まる原因になります。

If you leave hyperlipidemia untreated, it causes blocked blood vessels.

Verb 'hōchi suru' (to leave alone/neglect).

高脂血症の改善には、毎日の食生活が最も重要です。

For the improvement of hyperlipidemia, daily eating habits are most important.

Noun 'kaizen' + 'ni wa' (for...).

彼は高脂血症の薬を毎日欠かさず飲んでいる。

He takes his hyperlipidemia medication every day without fail.

Adverbial phrase 'kakasazu' (without fail).

高脂血症の予防について、医者から詳しく説明を受けた。

I received a detailed explanation from the doctor about preventing hyperlipidemia.

Noun 'yobō' + 'ni tsuite' + 'setsumei o ukeru'.

魚に含まれる成分は、高脂血症に良いと言われています。

The components found in fish are said to be good for hyperlipidemia.

Passive 'iwarete iru' (it is said).

高脂血症は自覚症状がないので、注意が必要です。

Since hyperlipidemia has no subjective symptoms, caution is necessary.

Noun 'jikaku shōjō' (subjective symptoms).

高脂血症は、現在では「脂質異常症」と呼ばれるのが一般的です。

Hyperlipidemia is now generally called 'dyslipidemia'.

Passive 'yobareru' + 'no ga ippanteki' (is general/common).

高脂血症による動脈硬化のリスクを軽減するために、禁煙を勧められた。

I was advised to quit smoking to reduce the risk of atherosclerosis caused by hyperlipidemia.

Noun 'keigen' (reduction) + 'susumerareta' (was advised).

遺伝的な要因で高脂血症になるケースも少なくありません。

There are many cases where hyperlipidemia is caused by genetic factors.

Adjective 'sukunaku nai' (not a few/many).

高脂血症の治療方針は、患者の年齢や合併症の有無によって異なります。

Treatment policies for hyperlipidemia differ depending on the patient's age and the presence of complications.

Compound 'chiryo hōshin' + 'ni yotte kotonaru' (differs depending on).

定期的な血液検査は、高脂血症を早期に発見するために不可欠です。

Regular blood tests are essential for discovering hyperlipidemia early.

Adjective 'fukatsu' (indispensable/essential).

高脂血症の疑いがある場合は、速やかに専門医を受診してください。

If hyperlipidemia is suspected, please see a specialist promptly.

Adverb 'sumiyaka ni' (promptly) + 'jushin' (see a doctor).

食生活の欧米化に伴い、日本でも高脂血症の患者が増加しています。

Along with the Westernization of diet, hyperlipidemia patients are increasing in Japan too.

Grammar 'ni tomonai' (along with/accompanying).

高脂血症の薬物療法を開始する前に、まず生活習慣の見直しが行われます。

Before starting drug therapy for hyperlipidemia, a review of lifestyle habits is first conducted.

Noun 'minaoshi' (review/re-evaluation).

高脂血症の遷延化は、心筋梗塞や脳梗塞の重大なリスクファクターとなる。

The prolongation of hyperlipidemia becomes a significant risk factor for myocardial infarction and cerebral infarction.

Formal noun 'sen'enka' (prolongation) and 'risk factor'.

家族性高脂血症は、若年期から動脈硬化が進行する可能性が高いため、早期治療が極めて重要である。

Because familial hyperlipidemia has a high possibility of progressing atherosclerosis from a young age, early treatment is extremely important.

Adverb 'kiwamete' (extremely) + 'jūyō' (important).

本研究の目的は、日本人における高脂血症と食習慣の相関関係を明らかにすることである。

The purpose of this study is to clarify the correlation between hyperlipidemia and dietary habits among Japanese people.

Formal 'akira ka ni suru koto de aru' (is to clarify).

高脂血症の治療において、スタチン系薬剤の投与は劇的な効果をもたらすことが多い。

In the treatment of hyperlipidemia, the administration of statin-based drugs often brings about dramatic effects.

Noun 'tōyo' (administration of medicine) + 'gekiteki' (dramatic).

特定健診の導入により、潜在的な高脂血症患者の掘り起こしが進んでいる。

With the introduction of specific health checkups, the uncovering of potential hyperlipidemia patients is progressing.

Metaphorical noun 'horiokoshi' (digging up/uncovering).

高脂血症を背景とした代謝異常は、メタボリックシンドロームの中核的な病態である。

Metabolic abnormalities against the background of hyperlipidemia are a core pathology of metabolic syndrome.

Phrase 'o haikei to shita' (with ... as a background).

疫学的な観点から、高脂血症の有病率の推移を詳細に分析する必要がある。

From an epidemiological perspective, it is necessary to analyze the transition of hyperlipidemia prevalence in detail.

Noun 'yubyō-ritsu' (prevalence rate) + 'suii' (transition/change).

高脂血症の治療ガイドラインは、最新のエビデンスに基づいて定期的に改訂されている。

Treatment guidelines for hyperlipidemia are regularly revised based on the latest evidence.

Phrase 'ni motozuite' (based on) + passive 'kaitei sarete iru'.

高脂血症の病態生理を解明することは、動脈硬化性疾患の根源的な予防に資するものである。

Elucidating the pathophysiology of hyperlipidemia contributes to the fundamental prevention of atherosclerotic diseases.

Formal 'kaimei' (elucidation) + 'ni shisuru' (contribute to).

血清脂質の異常が血管内皮機能に及ぼす悪影響は、高脂血症治療の最前線で議論されている。

The adverse effects that serum lipid abnormalities exert on vascular endothelial function are being discussed at the forefront of hyperlipidemia treatment.

Complex noun 'ketsusei shishitsu' (serum lipid) + 'oyobosu' (to exert/cause).

高脂血症の管理においては、単なる数値の是正にとどまらず、患者のQOL向上を視野に入れるべきだ。

In the management of hyperlipidemia, one should not stop at mere numerical correction but should also consider the improvement of the patient's QOL.

Grammar 'ni todomarazu' (not limited to) + 'shiya ni ireru' (take into view/consider).

我が国の高脂血症対策は、公衆衛生上の喫緊の課題として、多角的なアプローチが求められている。

Our nation's countermeasures against hyperlipidemia are required to have a multifaceted approach as an urgent public health issue.

Formal 'kikkin no kadai' (urgent issue) + 'takakuteki' (multifaceted).

高脂血症の薬物療法におけるアドヒアランスの向上は、心血管イベント抑制の鍵を握っている。

Improving adherence in drug therapy for hyperlipidemia holds the key to suppressing cardiovascular events.

Medical term 'adherence' + 'kagi o nigiru' (to hold the key).

脂質代謝の遺伝的多型が高脂血症の発症感受性に与える影響について、ゲノム解析が進んでいる。

Genome analysis is progressing regarding the impact that genetic polymorphisms in lipid metabolism have on the susceptibility to developing hyperlipidemia.

Scientific term 'iden-teki takei' (genetic polymorphism).

高脂血症の診断基準の変遷を辿ると、予防医学のパラダイムシフトが如実に反映されていることがわかる。

Tracing the transition of diagnostic criteria for hyperlipidemia reveals that the paradigm shift in preventive medicine is clearly reflected.

Adverb 'nyojitsu ni' (clearly/vividly) + 'han'ei sarete iru'.

高脂血症の重症化を未然に防ぐためには、若年層からのヘルスリテラシー教育が不可欠である。

In order to prevent the worsening of hyperlipidemia beforehand, health literacy education from a young age is indispensable.

Phrase 'mizen ni fusegu' (prevent beforehand).

Common Collocations

高脂血症の疑い

高脂血症を改善する

高脂血症の治療薬

高脂血症と診断される

高脂血症による動脈硬化

高脂血症の予防

家族性高脂血症

高脂血症の数値

高脂血症気味

高脂血症対策

Common Phrases

血液がドロドロ

— Describes the state of blood in hyperlipidemia as thick and unhealthy.

高脂血症になると血液がドロドロになると言われる。

コレステロール値を下げる

— To lower cholesterol levels, the primary goal of treating hyperlipidemia.

高脂血症なので、コレステロール値を下げる必要がある。

油っこいものを控える

— To cut back on oily foods to manage the condition.

高脂血症の人は、油っこいものを控えるべきだ。

生活習慣を見直す

— To review and improve one's lifestyle habits to treat the disease.

高脂血症改善のため、生活習慣を見直しましょう。

運動不足を解消する

— To resolve the lack of exercise associated with the condition.

高脂血症の治療には、運動不足を解消することが大切だ。

特定保健用食品

— Foods for specified health uses (FOSHU) often marketed for high lipids.

高脂血症に効く特定保健用食品を購入した。

中性脂肪が高い

— A common component of a hyperlipidemia diagnosis.

高脂血症の中でも、特に中性脂肪が高いタイプだ。

動脈硬化が進む

— Atherosclerosis progresses as a result of the condition.

高脂血症を放置すると動脈硬化が進んでしまう。

再検査を受ける

— To undergo a follow-up test after a suspicious result.

高脂血症の疑いで再検査を受けることになった。

薬物療法を行う

— To undergo drug therapy.

生活習慣の改善で効果がない場合、高脂血症の薬物療法を行う。

Often Confused With

高脂血症 vs 高血圧

High blood pressure. Both start with 'Kō' and involve 'blood', but one is pressure (atsu) and one is fat (shi).

高脂血症 vs 高血糖

High blood sugar. Often occurs alongside hyperlipidemia but refers to glucose, not lipids.

高脂血症 vs 甲状腺

Thyroid. Sounds slightly similar (Kōjōsen) but is a completely different organ/system.

Idioms & Expressions

"喉元過ぎれば熱さを忘れる"

— Forgetting the danger once it has passed; often used for people who stop their diet after their blood test results improve slightly.

高脂血症が良くなるとすぐ不摂生に戻るなんて、喉元過ぎれば熱さを忘れるだね。

General

"身から出た錆"

— One's own fault (rust from one's own blade); used when a lifestyle disease is caused by one's own poor habits.

高脂血症になったのは、長年の暴飲暴食の結果、身から出た錆だ。

General

"腹八分目に医者いらず"

— Eating until 80% full keeps the doctor away; a classic idiom for preventing conditions like hyperlipidemia.

高脂血症を予防するには、腹八分目に医者いらずを実践すべきだ。

General

"転ばぬ先の杖"

— A cane before you fall (prevention); used for early treatment of high lipid levels.

若いうちから高脂血症に気をつけるのは、転ばぬ先の杖だ。

General

"後の祭り"

— Too late (after the festival); used for someone who only cares about hyperlipidemia after having a stroke.

倒れてから高脂血症を気にしても後の祭りだ。

Informal

"塵も積もれば山となる"

— Dust piled up becomes a mountain; used for the gradual accumulation of fat in the blood.

毎日の脂っこい食事が、塵も積もれば山となって高脂血症を引き起こす。

General

"口は災いの元"

— The mouth is the source of disaster; in this context, eating too much causes the disease.

高脂血症になるなんて、まさに口は災いの元（食べ過ぎ）だ。

Playful

"石の上にも三年"

— Three years on a stone (perseverance); used for the long-term effort needed to improve blood numbers.

高脂血症の改善には、石の上にも三年の精神でダイエットを続ける必要がある。

General

"備えあれば憂いなし"

— Preparedness means no worries; used for regular checkups.

高脂血症の検査を毎年受けるのは、備えあれば憂いなしだ。

General

"百聞は一見に如かず"

— Seeing once is better than hearing a hundred times; used when someone sees their own cloudy blood sample.

自分の血液のドロドロ具合を見るのは、百聞は一見に如かずで高脂血症の怖さがわかる。

General

Easily Confused

高脂血症 vs 脂質異常症

They mean the same thing.

Shishitsu Ijōshō is the newer, broader clinical term; Kōshikesshō is the older, more popular term focusing only on 'high' levels.

診断書には脂質異常症と書かれていた。

高脂血症 vs 肥満

Related to fat.

Himan is obesity (body fat); Kōshikesshō is specifically fat in the blood.

肥満ではなくても高脂血症になることがある。

高脂血症 vs 動脈硬化

They are often mentioned together.

Kōshikesshō is a cause; Dōmyaku Kōka (atherosclerosis) is the resulting damage to the arteries.

高脂血症が動脈硬化を引き起こす。

高脂血症 vs 中性脂肪

Part of the diagnosis.

Chūsei Shibō is the specific substance (triglyceride); Kōshikesshō is the name of the condition.

中性脂肪の値が高いので高脂血症と言われた。

高脂血症 vs 高脂質

Sounds similar.

Kōshishitsu means 'high lipid' as an adjective (e.g., high-lipid diet), not the disease itself.

高脂質な食事は控えるべきだ。

Sentence Patterns

AはBです。

父は高脂血症です。

Aので、B。

高脂血症なので、魚を食べます。

Aと診断される。

高脂血症と診断されました。

AによってB。

高脂血症によって血管が詰まる。

Aに伴いB。

加齢に伴い、高脂血症のリスクが増える。

Aを背景としたB。

高脂血症を背景とした合併症。

Aに資する。

治療は健康維持に資する。

AにとどまらずB。

数値の改善にとどまらずQOLを高める。

Word Family

Nouns

脂質 (Lipid)

血液 (Blood)

症状 (Symptom)

高血圧 (Hypertension)

高血糖 (Hyperglycemia)

Verbs

脂ぎる (To be greasy/fatty)

血走る (To be bloodshot)

Adjectives

脂っこい (Oily/Fatty)

血の気が多い (Hot-headed/Full of blood)

動脈硬化 (Atherosclerosis)

コレステロール (Cholesterol)

中性脂肪 (Triglyceride)

メタボリックシンドローム (Metabolic syndrome)

不摂生 (Unhealthy living)

How to Use It

frequency

Common in medical and health contexts; infrequent in casual youth slang.

Common Mistakes

Using 'motsu' (to have) for the condition. → 高脂血症です / 高脂血症になりました。
In Japanese, you are the condition or you become it; you don't 'possess' it.
Reading 脂 as 'abura' in the compound. → Kō-shi-kesshō
Compounds (Kango) usually use the On-yomi (shi), not the Kun-yomi (abura).
Confusing it with 高血圧 (high blood pressure). → 高脂血症 (for cholesterol issues).
Both are 'high' and 'blood', but the middle kanji (fat vs pressure) is the key.
Saying 'Kōshikesshō o taberu' (eating hyperlipidemia). → 脂っこいものを食べる (eating oily food).
You can't eat a condition. You eat the fat that leads to the condition.
Thinking it only applies to fat people. → Genetics can cause it too.
It's a medical blood state, not a body shape description.

Tips

Kanji Breakdown

Remember the sequence: High + Fat + Blood + Disease. It tells the whole story of the condition in four characters.

Formal vs Informal

Use 高脂血症 in formal health settings and コレステロールが高い with friends to sound more natural.

Health Checkups

In Japan, everyone over 40 gets a 'Metabo' check. This word is the star of those checkups. Expect to hear it often if you work in Japan.

Verb Pairing

Always pair it with 'ni naru' (to become/get) or 'shindan sareru' (to be diagnosed). Avoid saying you 'have' it like an object.

Related Terms

Learn 'Chūsei Shibō' (neutral fat) at the same time, as they always appear together on medical forms.

Japanese Diet

Many Japanese health tips for this condition involve 'Nattō' and 'Blue-backed fish' (Aozakana like mackerel).

Long Vowels

Be careful to elongate the 'Kō' and 'shō'. Shortening them can change the meaning or make the word unrecognizable.

Official Term

If you see '脂質異常症' on a modern medical document, treat it as a synonym for 高脂血症.

Polite Excuse

Mentioning you are 'ki ni shite iru' (concerned) about your blood numbers is a polite way to decline fatty foods at a party.

Don't Confuse

Never confuse it with 高血圧 (high blood pressure). They are different pillars of metabolic syndrome.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'High' (高) 'Fat' (脂) 'Blood' (血) 'Show' (症 - looks like 'show' or 'symptom'). When the fat in your blood puts on a show, it's Kōshikesshō!

Visual Association

Imagine a glass tube of blood where a thick layer of yellow butter (fat) is floating at the top (High).

Word Web

高 (High) 脂 (Fat) 血 (Blood) 症 (Disease) 心臓 (Heart) 食事 (Diet) 運動 (Exercise) 薬 (Medicine)

Challenge

Try to explain to a 'doctor' (or a friend) three things you will do to avoid '高脂血症' using the phrase '～ないようにします' (I will try not to...).

Word Origin

The term is a Sino-Japanese (Kango) compound created in the modern era to translate Western medical concepts into Japanese using Kanji. Each character was chosen for its literal descriptive power.

Original meaning: High fat blood condition.

Japonic (Sino-Japanese vocabulary).

Cultural Context

While it's a medical term, be sensitive when discussing it with others as it can be linked to weight and lifestyle choices.

In English, people usually just say 'high cholesterol' rather than the formal 'hyperlipidemia' in casual conversation.

Used in the TV drama 'Doctor-X' to describe patient histories. Commonly featured in NHK health specials. Appears in various 'health manga' like 'Cells at Work! (Hataraku Saibou)' in the context of plaque buildup.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

At the Hospital

再検査が必要です
数値を下げましょう
食事に気をつけてください
薬を処方します

Health Checkup Result

判定はEでした
要経過観察です
専門医を受診してください
基準値を超えています

Company Cafeteria

ヘルシーメニュー
揚げ物は控える
野菜を先に食べる
メタボ対策

Talking to Parents

健康診断どうだった？
高脂血症は大丈夫？
お肉より魚を食べてね
無理しないでね

Reading a Health Magazine

血液をサラサラにする
血管年齢
最新の治療法
効果的な運動

Conversation Starters

"最近の健康診断の結果、どうでしたか？ (How were your recent health check results?)"

"高脂血症を予防するために、何か気をつけていることはありますか？ (Is there anything you are doing to prevent hyperlipidemia?)"

"コレステロールを下げるのに、どんな食べ物がいいか知っていますか？ (Do you know what kind of food is good for lowering cholesterol?)"

"家族に高脂血症の人はいますか？ (Is there anyone in your family with hyperlipidemia?)"

"血液をサラサラにするために、何か飲んでいますか？ (Are you taking anything to make your blood flow smoothly?)"

Journal Prompts

今日の食事を振り返って、高脂血症の予防に良いか悪いか書いてみましょう。 (Reflecting on today's meals, write about whether they were good or bad for preventing hyperlipidemia.)

もし医者に「高脂血症です」と言われたら、あなたの生活はどう変わりますか？ (If a doctor told you 'You have hyperlipidemia,' how would your life change?)

健康診断の結果で一番気になる数値は何ですか？その理由も書きましょう。 (What number in your health checkup results concerns you the most? Write the reason as well.)

日本の「生活習慣病」という言葉について、どう思いますか？ (What do you think about the Japanese term 'lifestyle-related diseases'?)

将来、健康でいるために今できることは何ですか？ (What can you do now to stay healthy in the future?)

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in general terms. It refers to high levels of lipids in the blood, which includes cholesterol and triglycerides. In English, we often just say 'high cholesterol' to cover the same ground.

The term was changed because 'high' (高) didn't account for low levels of HDL (good cholesterol), which is also unhealthy. 'Abnormality' (異常) covers both high and low levels more accurately.

Usually, there are no symptoms (自覚症状がない). That is why it is dangerous; people don't know they have it until they get a blood test or suffer a heart attack/stroke.

Yes. While it is often associated with diet and weight, genetics (家族性) play a huge role. Even very thin people can have dangerously high blood fat levels.

You can say 'コレステロールが高いです' (Koresuterōru ga takai desu) or '高脂血症です' (Kōshikesshō desu).

Yes, it is classified as a 生活習慣病 (seikatsu shūkan byō). This means it is often linked to diet, exercise, smoking, and alcohol habits.

It's a colloquial term meaning 'sludgy blood.' It’s used to describe the thick, fat-filled blood of someone with hyperlipidemia.

Treatment usually starts with lifestyle changes (diet and exercise). If that doesn't work, doctors prescribe medications like statins.

The second kanji, 脂 (shi/abura), represents fat or lipids.

Very common. Health variety shows are popular in Japan, and they frequently discuss how to lower blood fat levels.