Triglycerides are a type of fat, made up of three fatty acids. The name triglyceride comes from glycerol, which is an ester. Triglycerides are bad for your heart. If you’re concerned about high triglyceride levels, there are ways to lower them.
Low levels of HDL
High levels of triglycerides are, associated with a higher risk of coronary artery disease. This condition is often accompanied by low levels of HDL “good” cholesterol. These two risk factors together increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. Treatments can help to lower high triglyceride levels.
Low levels of HDL cholesterol can cause by a number of factors. A person with a deficiency in the APOA1 gene may not be able to produce enough HDL to protect their heart. This condition is, genetically inherited. In other cases, the person may have a disorder known as Tangier disease, which causes low HDL levels and high LDL cholesterol. In other cases, a person with a low level of HDL may also have another disorder called Apo A1 deficiency, which causes low levels of the Apo A1 protein.
High levels of triglycerides are not always harmful. In fact, they may be beneficial. High levels of HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, are associated with a lower risk of heart disease. While there is no direct link between low levels of HDL and high levels of LDL cholesterol, the two are often connected. This can be an indication of a more serious underlying medical condition or even a precursor of heart disease.
While HDL cholesterol is, known as the “good” cholesterol, high levels of LDL cholesterol are detrimental to your health. High LDL cholesterol can lead to buildup in your arteries, while high HDL levels help prevent the buildup of plaque in your arteries. Likewise, high HDL levels protect your heart from heart attack and stroke.
High triglyceride levels
A good way to lower high triglyceride levels is to get more exercise and eat a heart-healthy diet that is low in unhealthy fats and high in fiber. You should also control your blood pressure and diabetes, and lose weight if necessary. Medications are also available for people with high triglyceride levels. These medications include cholesterol-lowering drugs known as statins.
People with high triglyceride levels should see their doctor at least once a year for regular monitoring. High triglyceride levels can cause a serious condition called pancreatitis, which causes severe belly pain, nausea, and vomiting, and can be deadly if not treated quickly. It may also lead to a condition called chylomicronemia syndrome, which affects the brain and nerves. High triglyceride levels are also a risk factor for fatty liver disease, which can lead to liver failure.
High triglyceride levels are the result of an unhealthy diet. Excess sugar and calories convert to triglycerides. Research has shown that eating four or more ultraprocessed foods a day can double the risk of developing high triglyceride levels. Freeman also suggests that patients try to make a change to a low-fat, plant-based diet if possible.
A high triglyceride level can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and pancreatitis. However, this condition is often manageable with proper nutrition and lifestyle changes. In the meantime, if you do have elevated triglyceride levels, your doctor may prescribe medications to help control the problem.
Treatment for hypertriglyceridemia involves reducing excess body fat and increasing exercise. Dietary changes can lower triglycerides naturally, but you may also need to take statins, a prescription cholesterol medication. These medications can help lower your triglyceride levels, but they have side effects.
Increased risk for heart disease
An increase in triglycerides links with an increased risk for heart disease. The increased risk was discovered in a meta-analysis in the BMJ Open journal. The authors of the study, Liu J and Danesh J, found that elevated triglycerides were associated with a 68% greater risk of coronary heart disease.
Triglycerides are, found in the fat tissue of the body and produce when the body stores excess calories. People with higher triglycerides tend to be overweight, but there are many ways to lower triglycerides and lower your risk of heart disease. One way to do this is to increase physical activity. Exercising regularly can lower triglycerides and increase the amount of “good” cholesterol in the blood.
People with a family history of heart disease should have their triglyceride levels tested as early as possible. A blood sample is taken from an arm vein and collected in a test tube or vial. The test typically takes less than five minutes.
High triglyceride levels are, associated with multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including diabetes and high blood cholesterol. They can also cause pancreatitis. These complications are not always fatal, but can be life-threatening. However, lowering your triglyceride levels is possible with some simple changes to your diet.
In addition to heart disease, high triglyceride levels are risk factors for stroke, cancer, and heart failure. The combination of triglycerides and high cholesterol can significantly raise your risk of atherosclerosis. Researchers continue to study the connection between triglycerides and cardiovascular health. High triglycerides can lead to atherosclerosis, a build-up of plaque in the arteries.
Taking medication to lower triglyceride levels
If you are suffering from hypertriglyceridemia, or high levels of triglycerides in your blood, your doctor may prescribe medications to lower them. These medications must be taken as directed, and should be taken with a healthy diet and lifestyle.
Eating a low-carbohydrate diet that includes a variety of foods that are high in fiber and healthy fat can help you lower triglyceride levels. Cutting back on sugary drinks and soda can also help. Additionally, eating more fruits and vegetables is a good idea for those with high triglycerides. Dietary fiber slows down the absorption of fat, which helps reduce triglycerides.
Eating more monounsaturated fats is another way to lower your triglyceride levels. These fats are known to be beneficial for the heart. Additionally, lowering insulin resistance is another way to lower blood triglyceride levels. Insulin is a hormone that helps transport sugar to the cells for energy. Insulin resistance occurs when the body does not respond to insulin properly, which leads to an accumulation of sugar and triglycerides in the blood.
People with high triglyceride levels are at increased risk for heart disease and other complications. Lifestyle changes, such as quitting smoking and increasing your physical activity, can help lower triglyceride levels. Exercise can also help lower blood pressure and raise your levels of “good” cholesterol.
