Heart disease is the leading cause of death for Americans. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that one out of every six adults in the United States has high cholesterol. Most people are familiar with high cholesterol playing a role in heart disease, but few are familiar with high triglycerides having a part as well. Though the body needs cholesterol and triglycerides, too much of either can clog the arteries and lead to heart health problems.
Cholesterol
There are two types of cholesterol: high density lipoprotein, or HDL, and low density lipoprotein, or LDL. Low density lipoprotein is considered to be the "bad" cholesterol, while high density lipoprotein is considered to be "good." According to the American Heart Association, the job of HDL is believed to be transporting LDL to the liver and out of the body. If there is not enough HDL or too much LDL, HDL cannot sufficiently get rid of the "bad" cholesterol, allowing it to build up in the arteries. This build up is known as plaque and narrows the arteries making it difficult for the transport of oxygen to the heart.
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are closely related to cholesterol and are found in foods, such as carbohydrates. When the body does not use all of the calories taken in, those leftover calories are converted to triglycerides and carried to fat cells for storage. The triglycerides are later released as energy for the body. Similar to cholesterol, triglycerides cannot dissolve in the blood and therefore have to be transported out of the body by the same lipoproteins. Likewise, high triglycerides can lead to heart disease by building up in the blood from not being carried out of the body fast enough.
Risk
There are a number of factors that can put you at risk of high cholesterol or triglycerides. A high cholesterol total number is above 240 mg/dL and high triglyceride levels are 200 mg/dL or more. Cholesterol levels tend to rise as people age. If you have a parent or sibling with a history of heart disease before the age of 55, you have a greater risk of developing heart disease if your cholesterol or triglyceride levels are high. Obesity, poor diet and lack of exercise also place you at greater risk for high levels of cholesterol. High blood pressure, as well as diabetes raises your risk due to increased pressure and damage to the lining of the artery walls. Smoking damages blood vessel walls resulting in accumulating more fatty deposits and may also lower "good" cholesterol.
Treatment
A change in lifestyle is recommended to help combat high cholesterol or triglycerides. Eating healthy, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly, reducing alcohol intake and not smoking are the first steps to controlling cholesterol levels in the body. Should your cholesterol levels remain high after implementing these changes, there are drugs aimed at lowering cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Statin drugs lower LDL cholesterol by slowing the production of cholesterol from the liver. Bile acid sequestrants remove cholesterol from the blood. Niacin improves all lipoproteins and nicotinic acid lowers both LDL and triglycerides while raising HDL, according to the CDC. Fibrates lower trigycerides as well.
Considerations
Consult your doctor if you are concerned about cholesterol. Your doctor may order a fasting cholesterol test to determine your HDL and LDL cholesterol levels. He or she will be able to provide you with the best course of action. However, preventing high cholesterol or triglycerides is in everyone's power. A change in lifestyle habits and arming yourself with knowledge can help you on your path to health. The Mayo Clinic states that some supplements and products, such as artichoke, barley, garlic, oat bran, blond psyllium, beta-sitosterol or sitostanol may help reduce cholesterol but always consult your doctor before adding any supplements to your diet.
