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The Effect of Smoking on Triglyceride Levels

In the past few decades, it has become obvious through research and studies that smoking has an overall negative effect on people's health. Even if you don't smoke, you can experience these negative side effects if you are exposed to significant amounts of secondhand smoke. One such negative consequence is higher triglyceride levels in your blood, which can lead to other health problems if not taken care of.

  1. Triglyceride Levels

    • Triglyceride is a fat, which is why it should be kept to a low level and watched to be sure that level is maintained. High triglyceride levels can be caused by a number of factors, including obesity, family history, no exercising, or smoking. Triglyceride is measured in milligrams per deciliter in your blood, and a number under 150 mg/dL is normally considered to be a healthy triglyceride level, according to the American Heart Association. Anything between 150 and 199 is considered borderline, more that 200 is high, and more than 500 is very high.

    Relationship Between Smoking and Triglycerides

    • According to a study by J.P. Garg of the University of California, San Francisco, and his colleagues and published in the "Journal of Postgrad Medicine" in 1982, smoking does not have immediate effect on triglyceride levels. This means that triglyceride levels do not rise immediately during or after smoking a cigarette. Despite the fact that triglyceride levels are not immediately affected, it has been proven that the levels are effected over time for those who smoke, especially consistent smokers and especially the more you smoke.

    Consequences of High Triglyceride Levels

    • High triglyceride levels put you at risk for further health complications and problems in the long run. You may not see any outward signs or symptoms of the triglycerides themselves, but there are still risks associated with the condition. Because triglycerides are a fat and are related to your blood, having high levels puts you at greater risk for coronary artery disease, stroke, heart attack, pancreatitis, and related illnesses.

    Lowering Triglyceride Levels

    • The first logical step to lowering triglyceride levels if you're a smoker is to stop smoking. However, for most people, high triglyceride aren't caused solely by one factor, so in order to truly and effectively lower your triglyceride levels, you will have to adjust your lifestyle and habits. Eating food that is good for your heart and cholesterol is a good step, and physical activity and exercise is certainly helpful as well. You should also limit your alcohol consumption and watch your weight. Medicines are available to help control cholesterol and triglyceride levels; however, those should only be used in conjunction with a healthy lifestyle in order for your entire body to be healthier and feel the effect of the lower triglyceride levels, according to the American Heart Association.

    Continual Care for High Triglyceride Levels

    • Once you know that you have high triglyceride levels, you must continue to follow up with your doctor for routine blood tests to keep an eye on the levels. Further, the solutions to high triglyceride levels, such as exercise and a healthy diet, are long-term changes with which you must follow through. Otherwise, your triglyceride levels will either stay the same or continue to rise. Smoking is certainly a factor, and you should cut down on smoking or quit as a start to lowering triglyceride levels, but then you must take further action and stick to it.

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