Most ldl cholesterol exams will normally measure triglycerides, howeverthey aren’t a type of cholesterol. However, triglycerides are associated to the 2 kinds of ldl cholesterol: LDL and HDL. Like ldl cholesterol, triglycerides are kinds of lipids (or fat) that journey via the blood to carry out important features within the physique. And, like LDL ldl cholesterol, excessive ranges of triglycerides can pose dangers to coronary heart well being.
We reached out to New York heart specialist and member of the HealthyWomen Girls’s Well being Advisory Council Nieca Goldberg, M.D., to speak about what we are able to do to handle excessive triglycerides.
How do excessive ranges of triglycerides have an effect on my danger of coronary heart assault or stroke?
A regular lipid panel measures ranges of whole ldl cholesterol in addition to triglycerides, however this quantity is usually neglected. It shouldn’t be, as a result of excessive ranges of triglycerides elevate the danger of coronary heart assault and stroke by selling atherosclerosis — the build-up of ldl cholesterol and inflammatory elements — within the partitions of the blood vessels that offer blood to the guts muscle. Very excessive triglycerides are additionally related to irritation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which is one other essential purpose to maintain triglycerides in test.
How do I do know if I’ve excessive triglycerides?
There aren’t any signs when you have excessive triglycerides. So, step one is to get a lipid panel and ask about your triglyceride degree. Borderline excessive ranges are above 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), excessive ranges are higher than 200 mg/dL, and really excessive ranges are above 500 mg/dL.If the extent is greater than 150 mg/dL, speak to your healthcare supplier about the very best strategy to managing cardiovascular danger related to any degree of elevated triglycerides.
Ought to I keep away from sure meals if I’ve excessive triglycerides ranges?
Step one to managing cardiovascular danger related to elevated and excessive triglyceride ranges is to have a look at what you’re consuming. Alcohol, fat, easy carbohydrates and sugars can all elevate your triglycerides. As an alternative of consuming meals which are excessive in saturated fats, easy sugars and starches, eat a Mediterranean-style eating regimen with complicated carbohydrates — comparable to complete grains — and loads of fruits, greens and wholesome fat like omega-3. These are the kinds of fat present in fish, olive, canola or avocado oil. Weight loss program and train resulting in weight reduction can enhance triglyceride ranges. It’s additionally good to scale back your alcohol consumption.
How can I decrease my triglycerides and my danger of heart problems?
Oftentimes, if triglycerides are mildly elevated, a easy dietary change like consuming extra fish is enough, together with switching to a nutritious diet and exercising extra. Nonetheless, in case your ranges are average to excessive, your physician could order prescription-strength fish oil or omega-3s, which has increased ranges of omega-3 fatty acids than over-the-counter dietary complement choices. A few of these prescription-strength fish oils include omega-3 fatty acids known as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and others include solely a purified type of EPA known as IPE (icosapent ethyl). All of those merchandise will decrease your triglycerides and will lower your danger of pancreatitis, however they don’t all decrease your danger for heart disease, coronary heart assault and stroke. Nonetheless, prescription-strength omega-3 with pure EPA, known as IPE, has been confirmed in scientific trials to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease when used with statins, medication used to decrease ldl cholesterol.
One other remedy known as fibrates can decrease triglycerides, however essentially the most generally used fibrates haven’t been proven to decrease the danger of coronary heart assault or stroke.
This academic useful resource was created with help from Amarin.
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