Most ldl cholesterol checks will normally measure triglycerides, butthey aren’t a sort of ldl cholesterol. Nonetheless, 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 by 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 threat of coronary heart assault or stroke?
An ordinary lipid panel measures ranges of whole ldl cholesterol in addition to triglycerides, however this quantity is commonly ignored. It shouldn’t be, as a result of excessive ranges of triglycerides elevate the chance 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 vital purpose to maintain triglycerides in test.
How do I do know if I’ve excessive triglycerides?
There aren’t any signs when you’ve got 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 larger than 200 mg/dL, and really excessive ranges are above 500 mg/dL.If the extent is bigger than 150 mg/dL, speak to your healthcare supplier about the very best strategy 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 have a look at what you’re consuming. Alcohol, fat, easy carbohydrates and sugars can all elevate your triglycerides. As a substitute of consuming meals which might be excessive in saturated fats, easy sugars and starches, eat a Mediterranean-style weight loss plan with complicated carbohydrates — reminiscent of entire 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 threat of heart problems?
Oftentimes, if triglycerides are mildly elevated, a easy dietary change like consuming extra fish is ample, together with switching to a nutritious diet and exercising extra. Nonetheless, in case your ranges are average 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 comprise omega-3 fatty acids referred to as EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid), and others comprise 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 coronary heart illness, coronary heart assault and stroke. Nonetheless, prescription-strength omega-3 with pure EPA, referred to as IPE, has been confirmed in scientific trials to scale back your threat of heart problems when used with statins, medication used to decrease ldl cholesterol.
One other remedy referred to as fibrates can decrease triglycerides, however probably 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 assist from Amarin.
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