Problems With Elevated Triglycerides

Being told you have high triglycerides is something you don't want to hear. Visions of stroke and heart attack race through your mind. High triglycerides is certainly something to be concerned about and something you will want to begin to lower immediately. Talk with your physician about a diet and exercise program that should be able to reduce your triglyceride numbers.

What Are Triglycerides?

• Triglycerides are fat molecules found in the blood. It is a lipid that is most often associated with another blood lipid: cholesterol. These two lipids together help to make up your blood plasma.

  Your body derives triglycerides from food you eat and stores it in fat cells. Hormones release the triglycerides between meals when energy is required. When you eat, calories your body does not use immediately are converted into triglycerides.

Elevated Triglycerides

• Your doctor will check you triglyceride level with a blood plasma test. This test should be conducted after an overnight fast, free from food and alcohol. A blood plasma test will do a count of the triglycerides in the plasma.

  The National Cholesterol Education Program considers normal triglyceride levels to be less than 150 mg/dL. You are considered borderline high if your level ranges from 150 to 199 mg/dL. Those with high triglycerides have a range from 200 to 499 with very high levels being over 500 mg/dL.

Coronary Heart Disease Link

• Keeping your triglyceride level normal is essential to keeping your heart healthy. High triglycerides have been linked to coronary heart disease for a very long time. It is still unknown as to whether the triglycerides actually create a heart problem or are symptomatic of other problems. Either way, reducing your triglyceride level will help reduce your risk of coronary heart disease, heart attack and stroke.

  Coronary heart disease is a condition where plaque builds along the interior artery walls. It is also referred to as coronary artery disease. As plaque builds, there is less diameter and elasticity for the arteries to allow blood to flow through. This can cause a blockage leading to heart attack or stroke. The plaque results from build up of lipids and other substances found in blood.

Other Medical Conditions

• High triglycerides can suggest other medical conditions. Your doctor will test you for untreated diabetes mellitus which can lead to high triglyceride levels. Since triglycerides are a source of energy for your body, a diabetic needs to keep them properly monitored to properly regulate insulin levels.

  There are several genetic conditions that lead to high triglyceride levels. They include familial combined hyperlipidemia, familial dysbetalipoproteinemia, familial hypercholesterolemia and familial hypertriglyceridemia. These conditions mean you will most likely not be able to control high triglyceride levels with diet and exercise alone.

Reducing Triglyceride Levels

• If you are diagnosed with high triglycerides that are not genetically caused, you should be able to control your condition with diet and exercise. The American Heart Association Recommends a diet low in fat, replacing unsaturated fat for saturated fat. If you are overweight, getting down to your target weight will greatly reduce your triglyceride levels. Participate in an aerobic activity for at least a half an hour five days per week to build muscle and reduce fat. Most people can keep their triglyceride levels normal through smart dietary adjustments and exercise.