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High triglycerides may increase your risk of heart disease and be an indication of a variety of underlying health concerns.
Triglycerides are a form of fat present in the human body. They are derived from food, and the body produces a major amount of triglycerides (genetically inherited tendency). All surplus calories from the diet, particularly carbs that the body does not require immediately are stored as triglycerides in the body. They are utilized as a source of energy to keep the body going in between meals.
Triglyceridemia is a condition in which the level of triglycerides in the blood is dangerously high.
- Triglycerides naturally rise after a meal according to the time of day. However, they are typical and brief bursts.
- High levels of triglycerides in the blood, however, are deemed undesirable when they persist over an extended period.
- Triglyceridemia, if diagnosed late or not treated promptly, can result in a variety of consequences; some of which are considered deadly.
6 reasons why high triglycerides or triglyceridemia is bad for you
- Arteriosclerosis: High triglycerides levels high cause plaque deposition on the inner walls of coronary arteries, which harden over time, resulting in constricted arteries and restricted blood flow. This condition raises the chances of having a stroke, heart attack, or developing heart disease.
- Pancreatitis: Extremely high triglycerides levels can trigger acute pancreatic inflammation, which can be fatal.
- Metabolic syndrome: This is a combination of hypertension, diabetes, and obesity. Some people have this condition as a risk factor for triglyceridemia, whereas others have it as a result.
- Peripheral artery disease (PAD): A cardiovascular disorder in which blood arteries constrict, reducing blood flow to the limbs. PAD is caused by the accumulation of fatty deposits and calcium in the artery walls (atherosclerosis).
- Carotid artery disease and stroke: Develops when fatty deposits (plaques) block the blood channels that provide oxygen and nutrients to your brain and skull (carotid arteries). The obstruction raises your chances of having a stroke, which is a medical emergency that occurs when the blood flow to the brain is halted or severely decreased.
- Liver diseases: High triglyceride levels might be an indicator of fatty liver disease. Poor eating habits result in an excessive amount of fat in the bloodstream (triglycerides and increased fat accumulation throughout the body, including the liver, leading to improper function of the liver).
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How will I know if I have high triglycerides?
Triglycerides in the blood can be measured. The test is performed as part of routine screening. People who have risk factors for heart disease may be examined more frequently.
Young children who are obese or have a family history of high triglycerides or cholesterol could be examined based on the doctor’s recommendations. For adults older than 45 years, regular screening could be indicated.
Triglycerides are measured in the same blood test as cholesterol. Compare your test results to the following to get a broad picture of your triglyceride level.
- Normal is less than 150 mg/dL
- Borderline-high is 150 to 199 mg/dL
- High is 200 to 499 mg/dL
- Very high is 500 mg/dL or higher
Less than 90 mg/dL
Less than 75 mg/dL
Less than 150 mg/dL
Anywhere between 90 to 129 mg/dL
Anywhere between 75 to 99 mg/dL
Anywhere between 151 to 199 mg/dL
More than 130 mg/dL
More than 100 mg/dL
More than 200 mg/dL
–
–
More than 500 mg/dL
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Warning signs of high triglycerides in the blood
If your triglycerides are 1,000 or above, you may have a rare genetic illness called familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS). Levels more than 200 mg/dL are linked to an increased risk of heart attack, stroke, and mortality.
Triglyceride levels that are too high do not normally produce symptoms.
14 signs and symptoms or warning signs of high triglycerides in the blood
- Abdominal pain
- Nausea and vomiting
- Chest pain
- Headaches
- Rapid heartbeat
- Rapid breathing
- Blood from nose
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- High blood pressure
- Fat around the waist area
- High blood sugar levels
- Xanthomas (fatty deposits beneath the skin are called xanthomas, which can be very small or as wide as three inches or more)
- Memory loss
You may have no symptoms of high triglycerides, therefore undergo a lipid blood test to determine your cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends everyone, starting at the age of 20 years, get a lipid profile done every five years.
Consult your doctor if you notice any of the warning indications of extremely high triglycerides. If your blood test results reveal that you have high triglycerides, you may be able to decrease them by following your doctor's advice.
What are the common causes and risk factors for high triglycerides?
Triglycerides can be obtained through food. They are produced by your liver. When you consume more calories, particularly carbs, your liver produces more triglycerides.
Excess triglycerides are stored in fat cells for later use. When they are required, your body converts them into fatty acids, which power bodily movement, generate heat, and supply energy for bodily operations.
Triglycerides are necessary for optimal health. High triglycerides, however, may increase your risk of heart disease and be an indication of a variety of underlying health concerns.
13 common causes and risk factors of high triglycerides
- Genetic problems
- Eating a lot of carbs or a diet high in saturated fat, trans fat, and cholesterol
- Fried food
- Kidney problems
- Liver disease
- Lack of exercise
- Obesity
- Smoking
- Excess alcohol intake
- Diabetes
- Low thyroid
- Cushing syndrome
- Certain medicines, such as birth control pills
If you have high triglyceride levels, your doctor may have advised you to take efforts to reduce them. This is because some lipoproteins high in triglycerides contain cholesterol, and they are risk factors for many diseases.
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5 ways to lower my triglyceride levels
High triglycerides are usually managed by a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.
- Exercise:
- Regular exercise is one of the greatest strategies to decrease triglycerides if you are otherwise in excellent health.
- Choose an activity that causes your heart to race. Aim for 40 minutes of moderate to high-intensity exercise three to four days per week.
- You do not need to join a gym or buy pricey equipment to get in shape. Taking a quick walk every day might be just as effective.
- Nutrition:
- Reduce your intake of saturated fat: This kind of fat is found in animal products, such as red meat and whole-milk dairy products. Choose lean meats and low-fat or non-fat dairy products.
- Reduce your total fat consumption in your diet: Limit your fat calories to no more than 30 percent of your overall caloric intake.
- Reduce your intake of these simple carbs:
- Consume meals rich in omega-3 fatty acids:
- These lipids, found in fish, help lower triglycerides.
- Salmon, albacore tuna, sardines, and herring are high in omega-3 fatty acids.
- Get 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day: Fruits and vegetables, as well as whole grains (wholewheat bread and brown rice), are excellent sources.
- Cut back on alcohol: Even a small amount of alcohol can have a significant impact on triglycerides in certain persons. Consult your doctor about how much alcohol you should consume.
- Weight management:
- If you are overweight, you should lose weight. Ask your doctor to help you calculate your body mass index (BMI).
- If your BMI is 25 kg/m2 or above, you are overweight; if your BMI is 30 kg/m2 or more, you are obese.
- Medications: If dietary and activity modifications do not reduce your triglyceride levels, your doctor may prescribe medication, such as
- Nicotinic acid (niacin):
- When taken at amounts greater than dietary needs, this B vitamin raises high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and decreases low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides.
- Nicotinic acid is available as a prescription medication as well as a nutritional supplement.
- However, unless otherwise ordered by your doctor, only the prescription type should be used to decrease cholesterol and triglycerides.
- Fibrates (gemfibrozil, fenofibrate):
- They help reduce triglycerides.
- They may result in minor improvements in LDL and HDL values.
- Omega-3 fatty acids: Found in fish and flaxseed oil and may help reduce triglyceride levels.
- Statins: The statin drugs commonly used to treat high LDL levels can reduce triglyceride levels.
- Nicotinic acid (niacin):
- Other changes:
- Quit smoking: Although smoking has no direct effect on triglyceride levels, because it lowers good cholesterol, stopping smoking promotes heart health, which compensates for high triglycerides.
- Get good sleep: Sleeping effectively reduces stress, improves metabolism, and has other physiological and cognitive health advantages.
- Manage hypertension and diabetes: These lower the chance of triglyceridemia in individuals who do not have it and assist those who do have it overcome it.
The treatment's purpose is to reduce triglyceride levels. It will help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
Given the dangers of elevated triglycerides, doctors recommend that individuals obtain a total lipid profile test every five years. This test should be administered to children between the ages of 9 and 11 years and again between the ages of 15 and 17 years.
If you are diagnosed with triglyceridemia, do not be alarmed. Seek the advice of a cardiologist. Based on the results of your tests, they will determine the best course of treatment for your quick recovery and rehabilitation.
