WHAT ARE TRIGLYCERIDES?
Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the bloodstream and in fat tissue. High levels of triglycerides contribute to atherosclerosis. Very high levels of triglycerides can cause pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas).

TREATMENT OF HIGH CHOLESTEROL AND TRIGLYCERIDES
Guidelines have been established to determine who should be treated, and they are based on the number of risk factors for atherosclerosis as well as the cholesterol levels. The more risk factors that you have for the development of atherosclerotic disease, the greater your chance of having a stroke or a heart attack, and the more you would benefit from lowering your cholesterol level. Medicine is only one part of treatment, which should involve a general decrease in risk.

ASSESSING YOUR RISK FACTORS
Risk factors youcannot control:

• Age - men age 45 or greater
  women age 55 or greater (or premature menopause without estrogen replacement)


• Family history of PREMATURE coronary heart disease. Premature coronary heart disease means that your father, brother, or son had a heart attack or sudden death before age 55 years, or your mother, sister, or daughter had a heart attack or sudden death before age 65 years.

Risk factors youcan control:

• SMOKING!
• Hypertension
• Diabetes mellitus (elevated blod sugar)
• Low HDL cholesterol

WHAT YOU CAN DO TO MODIFY YOUR RISK FACTORS:

• STOP SMOKING.


• EXERCISE REGULARLY. Aerobic exercise (walking, running, bicycling) is recommended for increasing cardiovascular fitness, increasing HDL (good) cholesterol, and reducing LDL (bad) cholesterol. Weight-training and increasing muscle bulk are not useful for improving cardiovascular health.


• EAT A BETTER DIET AND LOSE WEIGHT. Limit fat, sugar, and salt.


• CONTROL BLOOD PRESSURE: Goal: less than 140/90. You can lower your blood pressure by exercising, reducing alcohol intake, stopping smoking, and reducing salt in your diet. You may need medication to control blood pressure.


• CONTROL BLOOD SUGAR: Goal: fasting sugar less than 126. If you have diabetes, you should be followed closely by a physician, avoid concentrated sweets, get regular exercise, and monitor your blood sugar at home.


• INCREASE HDL CHOLESTEROL: Goal: at least 35 mg/dL. You can increase HDL by exercise, diet, weight-loss, smoking cessation, and avoiding drugs that lower HDL (androgens and anabolic steroids).


• KNOW YOUR RISK. Assess your risk factors. Have your doctor check fasting cholesterol, triglyceride and blood sugar levels.


• DISCUSS LIFESTYLE MODIFICATIONS AND LIPID-LOWERING AGENTS WITH YOUR DOCTOR. You should discuss your risk of heart disease and stroke, and plan your personal strategy for risk reduction, including the need for drug treatment.

WHAT DO THE NUMBERS MEAN?

1. TOTAL cholesterol


• below 200 is desirable
2. HDL cholesterol


• Below 35 mg/dL is low, and adds to your risk


• Above 60 mg/dL is high, and reduces your risk
3. LDL cholesterol, target level depends on your history and risk factors:

I have had a heart attack (myocardial infarction), or my doctor has informed me, based on medical testing, that I have coronary heart disease (or coronary artery disease):

If you answered yes, your LDL should be less than 100 mg/dl and you should be seeing a physician regularly to monitor your heart disease and prevent further medical problems.

If you answered no, complete the following worksheet.

From items 2-10:

Total number of points_____

If your score is 2 or more, your goal LDL is less than 130 mg/dL.

If your score is 1 or less, your goal LDL is less than 160 mg/dL.