Most ldl cholesterol exams will often measure triglycerides, howeverthey aren’t a type of cholesterol. However, triglycerides are associated to the 2 sorts of ldl cholesterol: LDL and HDL. Like ldl cholesterol, triglycerides are sorts of lipids (or fat) that journey by way of the blood to carry out important capabilities 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 will do to handle excessive triglycerides.
How do excessive ranges of triglycerides have an effect on my threat of coronary heart assault or stroke?
A typical lipid panel measures ranges of whole ldl cholesterol in addition to triglycerides, however this quantity is usually missed. It shouldn’t be, as a result of excessive ranges of triglycerides increase the chance of coronary heart assault and stroke by selling atherosclerosis — the build-up of ldl cholesterol and inflammatory components — within the partitions of the blood vessels that provide blood to the center muscle. Very excessive triglycerides are additionally related to irritation of the pancreas (pancreatitis), which is one other essential motive to maintain triglycerides in test.
How do I do know if I’ve excessive triglycerides?
There aren’t any signs in case 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 better than 200 mg/dL, and really excessive ranges are above 500 mg/dL.If the extent is greater than 150 mg/dL, discuss to your healthcare supplier about one of the best method to managing cardiovascular threat 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 threat related to elevated and excessive triglyceride ranges is to take a look at what you’re consuming. Alcohol, fat, easy carbohydrates and sugars can all increase your triglycerides. As a substitute of consuming meals which can be excessive in saturated fats, easy sugars and starches, eat a Mediterranean-style food regimen with complicated carbohydrates — resembling entire grains — and loads of fruits, greens and wholesome fat like omega-3. These are the sorts of fat present in fish, olive, canola or avocado oil. Eating regimen and train resulting in weight reduction can enhance triglyceride ranges. It’s additionally good to cut back your alcohol consumption.
How can I decrease my triglycerides and my threat of heart problems?
Oftentimes, if triglycerides are mildly elevated, a easy dietary change like consuming extra fish is adequate, together with switching to a nutritious diet and exercising extra. Nonetheless, in case your ranges are reasonable to excessive, your physician might order prescription-strength fish oil or omega-3s, which has greater 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 referred to as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and others include solely a purified type of EPA referred to as IPE (icosapent ethyl). All of those merchandise will decrease your triglycerides and should lower your threat of pancreatitis, however they don’t all decrease your threat for heart disease, coronary heart assault and stroke. Nonetheless, prescription-strength omega-3 with pure EPA, referred to as IPE, has been confirmed in medical trials to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease when used with statins, medicine used to decrease ldl cholesterol.
One other treatment referred to as fibrates can decrease triglycerides, however essentially the most generally used fibrates haven’t been proven to decrease the chance of coronary heart assault or stroke.
This academic useful resource was created with help from Amarin.
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