High triglyceride and LDL cholesterol levels raise the risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. Lifestyles changes such as losing excess weight, quitting smoking, eating a diet low in fat and cholesterol and getting regular exercise can all help to lower LDL and triglycerides. To fully manage the risk for disease, the first step is to speak with a physician to determine what personal levels should be, based on any other risk factors that may be present.
Identification
Cholesterol cannot dissolve in the blood so it must be transported by carriers. One type of carrier is high-density lipoproteins, or HDL, which excrete cholesterol. The higher the level of HDL, the better. The other carrier is low-density lipoproteins, or LDL. LDLs are the harmful kind, because they store cholesterol in the body. Triglycerides, a type of fat, circulate in the blood. Extra calories that are eaten and not immediately burned off from any type of food, be it protein, carbohydrates or fats, are converted into triglycerides and stored in the body. When the level of triglycerides or LDLs gets too high, the risk of heart attack and stroke rises as well, states the American Heart Association.
Triglyceride Levels
In order to lower the risk of heart disease, MayoClinic recommends keeping triglyceride levels at 150 mg/dL or lower. Once the level reaches 150 to 199 mg/dL, triglyceride levels are considered borderline high. A high level of triglycerides or hypertriglyceridemia can contribute to a buildup of plaque along the blood vessel walls, which is called atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis makes the blood vessels hard and narrow, restricting blood flow to the heart, brain and organs. High triglyceride levels can exist without ever causing symptoms, so it is important to get tested regularly.
LDL
The higher the risk for heart disease the lower LDL levels should be, reports the Texas Heart Institute. In general the goal is to keep LDL levels less than 100 mg/dL. High LDL levels also lead to plaque buildup in the arteries. If this causes a severe restriction of blood flow to the heart, a heart attack can occur. If plaque buildup occurs in the arteries that supply the brain, the risk of a stroke increases. A physician will determine how often triglyceride and LDL levels should be tested, based on other risk factors that may be present.
Considerations
Blood tests are used to determine levels of total cholesterol, HDL, LDL and triglycerides. According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, high LDL and triglyceride levels alone do not determine the risk for heart disease, they are only one factor. Being overweight, sedentary, smoking, eating an unhealthy diet, having a family history of heart disease and underlying medical conditions, also play a role. If levels are high, developing healthy lifestyle habits can bring LDL and triglyceride levels to a healthier level. There are also many medications that help when lifestyle changes are not enough.
