High Triglycerides increase risk - April 2009

Did you know...Elevated Triglyceride levels can increase your risk?

Among US adults, high triglyceride levels are becoming epidemic.  Researchers recently reviewed data on 5,610 Americans in National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, and found that approximately one-half had elevated triglyceride levels.

Triglycerides are a type of fat that circulate in the bloodstream. High triglyceride levels have been associated with heart attack and stroke.

Children who have elevated triglyceride levels are at significant risk of cardiovascular disease once they reach their 40’s and 50’s, according to a childhood-to-adulthood study presented at the American College of Cardiology 2009 Scientific Sessions. Dr Samrat Yeramaneni and researchers assessed 1,756 children and followed up on them twenty-five years later.  Investigators found 808 participants from the original group and evaluated them for cardiovascular disease. In the group with high triglycerides there were 8 heart attacks before age 40, and no heart attacks before age 40 in the group with normal triglyceride levels.

What Does CPC recommend?

Triglycerides are measured along with cholesterol as part of a fasting blood test. Normal triglyceride levels are below 150. If your triglyceride level is high, you might consider taking the following steps.

• Lose weight. Even a small weight loss will help to lower triglycerides and cholesterol.
• Lead a more active lifestyle– daily exercise will help you lower triglycerides.
• Eat healthy. Follow a diet that is low in saturated fats and contains little to no trans fats. Eat plenty of high fiber foods like oatmeal, whole grains and fruit. You should be sure to limit sugar intake. Make sure that your meals include foods rich in Omega-3 like salmon, fish oils and flax seed.
• Eat fewer carbohydrates, especially simple sugars like soda and sweets.

Kidney disorders, the birth-control pill, hypothyroidism, and other conditions can contribute to high triglyceride levels.  See your doctor to find out the cause if you have high triglycerides, but make sure you know your numbers.  They do matter

 

The studies presented above, in order of presentation are authored by: Dr. Earl S. Ford, with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the lead author of a report in the March 23, 2009 Archives of Internal Medicine. Dr Samrat Yeramaneni, Jewish Hospital Cholesterol Center, Cincinnati, OH, the lead researcher in studies funded by the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Healt