Cholesterol levels get most of the press. It’s true that having high levels of LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol and low levels of HDL, or “good,” cholesterol is bad for your heart and increases the risk of developing other health problems, such as diabetes. But LDL and HDL are not the only important readings on your lipid panel. Your doctor should talk with you about your triglycerides, too.

What’s a Triglyceride, Anyway?
Like cholesterol, triglycerides are a type of fat. Your body produces some of it, and you get some from the foods you eat.

If you eat more calories than you burn, your body turns the extra fuel into triglycerides, notes the American Heart Association. They’re kept in the body’s fat cells for storage. Hormones tell the cells when it’s time to release them into the blood for energy.

When your doctor draws blood to check your overall cholesterol, he or she will also get a triglyceride count. You may need to fast for eight to 12 hours first. Your doctor may also ask you to avoid drinking alcohol. Certain medications, including beta-blockers, can interfere with readings, so your doctor may tell you to stop taking them for a short period.

According to the National Cholesterol Education Program, triglyceride levels are:

• Normal if they’re lower than 150 mg/dl
• Borderline high if they’re between 150 and 199 mg/dl
• High if they’re between 200 and 499 mg/dl
• Very high if they’re 500 mg/dl or higher

What Causes Triglycerides to Rise
Several factors can contribute to high triglyceride levels. These include:

• Being overweight or obese
• Not getting enough exercise
• Diabetes that isn’t well-controlled
• Problems with your kidneys, pancreas, liver, or thyroid
• Smoking
• Drinking too much alcohol
• Genetic factors
• Eating a low-protein, high-carb diet, or a diet high in saturated fat
• Certain medications, such as beta-blockers

What to Do About High Triglycerides
Scientists aren’t quite sure why, but high triglycerides boost your risk for heart disease. They seem to interact with cholesterol to produce extra buildup in your blood vessels. Eventually, this blocks blood flow in the arteries that supply the heart with energy to keep it pumping

What is clear is that making changes to your lifestyle can lower triglyceride counts. If you’re in the borderline or high groups, your doctor may talk with you about these adjustments:

• Cut saturated fats, trans fats, and cholesterol from your diet. Replace them with monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, such as those found in canola or olive oil. Overloading on carbs may raise triglycerides and reduce HDL cholesterol levels.
• Reach a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, shed pounds by reducing calories of all types—proteins, carbs, alcohol, and fats.
• Work out. Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days of the week. Try walking or biking.
• Eat more fruits, vegetables, and nonfat or low-fat dairy products. Also, add more fish to your diet. The omega-3 fatty acids in swimmers such as salmon and mackerel are good replacements for the saturated fats in hamburgers.
• Drink less alcohol. Cutting back can cause big changes in your triglycerides.

If these factors don’t bring your levels in check, your doctor may prescribe medications. Statins, which lower overall cholesterol levels, can also work for triglycerides.

Statins in the News
Statins, a class of drug commonly used to treat high cholesterol, have made headlines for recent studies that suggest they might also help guard against prostate cancer and erectile dysfunction. Keep up to date on the latest news and research at our online News Center.