Cholesterol and triglycerides are types of fat that store energy and circulate in the blood. According to the American Heart Association, a high triglyceride level combined with high cholesterol levels speeds up atherosclerosis, or the buildup of fat on the walls of arteries. Triglycerides and cholesterol are made in the body and come from the foods you eat.
Significance
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, and elevated levels of cholesterol and triglycerides is a risk factor for the development of heart disease. According to MayoClinic.com, this risk is increased further in people who are obese, regularly eat foods high in cholesterol, do not exercise, have diabetes or have a history of heart disease in the family.
Function of Triglycerides
When triglycerides and cholesterol are present in normal levels in the blood, they are used for energy storage and to build cells. Triglycerides store unused calories and cholesterol is used to build cells for the normal function of the body. In elevated levels, however, triglycerides and cholesterol can adhere to blood vessel walls. This narrows the arteries and can lead to decreased blood flow to the heart and brain. If an artery to the heart becomes completely blocked, it is known as a heart attack.
Types
There are two main types of cholesterol: LDL, or "bad" cholesterol, and HDL, or "good" cholesterol. LDL cholesterol accumulates on artery walls and is a risk factor for heart disease. Cholesterol and triglycerides are measured in a simple blood test. For most people, the American Heart Association suggests that LDL levels of 130 mg/dL or below are ideal. HDL cholesterol helps prevent LDL cholesterol from adhering to the blood vessel walls and so is termed "good" cholesterol. HDL levels should be above 40 mg/dL for men and 50 mg/dL. As discussed on MayoClinic.com, triglycerides are stored in fat cells and a level of less than 150 mg/dL is normal.
Treatment
Changes in lifestyle such as increasing exercise and eating a well-balanced diet can help reduce levels of cholesterol and triglycerides. Foods such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, fish and nuts are all excellent choices to assist with this goal. If lifestyle changes do not adequately reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels, medications can help remove these substances from the body. Common medications used to reduce cholesterol levels include statins such as atorvastatin or simvastatin, while fibrates and fish oil supplements are commonly used to reduce triglycerides.
Considerations
Lifestyle modifications implemented to reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels can also help reduce blood pressure and decrease your overall risk of heart disease. In addition to exercise and diet, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol intake can reduce the risk of heart disease and decrease cholesterol levels. Weight loss, particularly in conjunction with a healthy diet, can also lower triglycerides and cholesterol. According to MayoClinic.com, these same measures can help prevent an elevation in triglycerides and cholesterol if you do not currently suffer from this problem.
