Cholesterol and Triglycerides

What are triglycerides?

• Type of lipid found in your blood

• Store unused calories in your fat cells

• Hormones release triglycerides for energy between meals

• May have high levels if you regularly eat more calories than you burn

Why do triglycerides matter?

High triglyceride levels may contribute to atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of stroke, heart attack, and heart disease.

What triglyceride levels are considered normal?

• Normal – Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter of blood (mg/dL)

• Borderline high – 150 to 199 mg/dL• High – 200 to 499 mg/dL• Very High – 500 mg/dL or above

*Optimal triglyceride level is 100 mg/dL or lower (per American Heart Association)

How can someone best lower their triglyceride levels?

• Lose weight• Cut back on calories• Avoid sugary and refined foods• Limit the cholesterol in diet• Choose healthier fats• Eliminate trans fat• Limit alcohol consumption• Exercise regularly• Take medication (niacin, statins, etc.)

How do triglycerides differ from cholesterol?

• Both circulate throughout your body with the help of lipoproteins

• Triglycerides store unused calories and provide your body with energy

• Cholesterol is used to make hormones, vitamin D, and substances that help you digest foods

What is cholesterol?

Waxy, fat-like substance found in all cells.

• Dietary cholesterol – found only in animal-based foods

• Blood cholesterol – made in the liver

Your body makes all of the cholesterol it needs.

*Although 1) and 2) are chemically identical, they don’t represent the same thing.

What are LDL and HDL? How do they differ?

• LDL (low-density lipoprotein, “bad” cholesterol) can build up on the inside of artery walls (known as plaque), contributing to artery blockages and heart attacks. Higher LDL levels mean higher risk.

• Over time, plaque can cause atherosclerosis. Large plaque areas can lead to chest pain called angina, a common symptom of coronary heart disease.

What are LDL and HDL? How do they differ?

• HDL (high-density lipoprotein, “good” cholesterol) carries cholesterol from other parts of your body back to the liver, which removes it from your body. Higher HDL levels generally mean lower risk.

What causes High Blood Cholesterol?

• What you eat (saturated fat, trans fat, dietary cholesterol)

• Your weight (overweight increases LDL)

• Your activity level (being sedentary raises LDL; activity raises HDL)

• Heredity

• Age and sex

What are the signs and symptoms of HBC?

There usually are none.

Thus, everyone should have their blood lipid profile checked at least once every 5 years.

How is HBC Diagnosed?

Tests for total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides.

FOR TOTAL CHOLESTEROL

• Desirable – Below 200 mg/dL (milligrams/deciliter of blood)

• Borderline High – 200-239 mg/dL

• High – 240 mg/dL and above

How is HBC Treated?

• TLC = Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes: cholesterol-lowering diet, physical activity, and weight management

• Drug Treatment (ex: statins, niacin)