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:: Health Conditions
- Cholesterol | | |
Triglycerides
Triglycerides
Triglycerides are a form of fat the body can use for energy.
Triglycerides are type of fat that is carried in the blood
by very low-density lipoproteins. Only a small amount of triglycerides
is normally found in the blood; most are stored in fat tissue.
A high triglyceride level along with a high LDL cholesterol
also can increase the risk of heart attack. Triglycerides
can build up in artery walls and may cause atherosclerosis.
Triglyceride levels are measured in milligrams per deciliter
(mg/dL) of blood.
|
Triglyceride (mg/dL) Classification |
|
150 to 199
|
borderline high |
|
| 200 or above |
high |
|
| 500 or higher |
very high |
|
Elevated triglyceride levels may increase your risk of developing
coronary artery disease (CAD).
The cholesterol and triglyceride level can be checked with
a blood test. Losing weight is especially important if you have high triglyceride
levels and low HDL levels and are overweight with a large
waist measurement (metabolic syndrome). This means more than
a 40 in. (101.6 cm) waist for men and more than 35 in. (88.9
cm) for women. Exercising and losing weight, if you are overweight, are
critical. They can increase your "good" HDL cholesterol
and lower your "bad" LDL cholesterol and triglycerides.
Losing weight can also help lower high blood pressure and
help prevent diabetes and osteoarthritis. Most health experts
recommend that you exercise for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes
most days of the week.


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