Using Triglycerides

High triglyceride levels often translate into a higher cholesterol level, where the LDL (low density lipoprotein) or bad cholesterol is elevated, and the HDL (high density lipoprotein) or good cholesterol is at a low count. There is a strong link between coronary heart disease and high triglyceride levels. Triglyceride levels can only be accurately measured after a 12-hour fast. This is done by a blood lipid profile, which is a blood test that assesses your total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Above normal triglyceride levels that is greater than or equal to 200 mg/dL are invariably associated with coronary heart disease. In fact, blood triglyceride levels above 150 mg/dL are considered high and may play a vital role in forming plaque that leads to arterioscelerosis. Being overweight, having diabetes or hyperglycemia and drinking immoderate amounts of alcohol may also lead to higher triglycerides.

Triglycerides and coronary heart disease.

Triglyceride/HDL ratio is a surefire indicator of heart disease risk. The lower your triglycerides, the higher your HDL, the lower your risk of heart disease. People with the highest ratio of triglycerides to HDL cholesterol were at certain risk of suffering a heart attack 16 times more than those with a lowest ratio of triglycerides to HDL. Therefore, high triglycerides alone increase the risk of heart attack 3 fold.

Lifestyle and triglycerides

Lowering triglyceride levels can be as simple as modifying your diet to include more fresh fruits and green leafy vegetables, and opting for heart-healthy foods like skimmed milk. Triglycerides usually come from consuming animal products, carbohydrates and saturated fat. Triglyceride levels can be reduced by:

1. Maintaining normal blood glucose levels;
2. Restricting sugars, sweets, refined foods, and alcohol;
3. Maintaining normal weight;
4. Limiting saturated fat intake; and
5. Starting an exercise program.

Summary

Obviously then there is a strong correlation between high triglyceride levels and elevated LDL levels. Studies confirm that a lower-than-normal levels of HDL lead to increased risk of hardening of the arteries, atherosclerosis, heart attack and stroke. Your physician can recommend a course of drugs to lower triglycerides and raise HDL levels. Generally, lifestyle changes are advocated along with a drug regimen.

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