Cholesterol and Triglycerides: What You Need to Know

By Lucy Williams, Ivanhoe Health Correspondent

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Many Americans are in the dark about the dangers of triglycerides, which are fats found in the blood that are produced from what you eat. Doctors say this is a concern because too much of this cholesterol-like substance in your blood can raise your risk of serious cardiovascular problems.

"Unfortunately, patients don't get the message that there's more to their risk, from a blood fat perspective, than what their cholesterol level is. And more importantly, physicians aren't talking to them about it," cardiologist Peter Jones, M.D., of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, told Ivanhoe.

A recent national survey reveals a majority of physicians think their patients do not understand triglycerides and their associated risks to heart health.

Elevated triglyceride levels can lead to heart disease, kidney disease, and pancreatitis. National guidelines suggest normal triglycerides levels should be less than 150 milligrams per deciliter. Only 13 percent of patients surveyed knew this.

What You Need to Know:

• Double your risk for heart disease: When triglyceride levels exceed 200
• Quadruple your risk for heart disease: When triglyceride levels exceed 200 and "good" HDL cholesterol levels are less than 40

Patients most at risk are unlikely to understand the risks of elevated triglycerides. Of the patients surveyed who took or cholesterol medications, only 5 percent knew the healthy levels for all three lipids.

Healthy Choices:

Individuals can make lifestyle decisions to lower their triglyceride levels. Dr. Jones says the best way to lower triglyceride levels is through healthy diet and regular exercise. He suggested people restrict sugar, alcohol and fat in their diet.

There are healthy fats that boost levels of healthy HDL cholesterol. They're found in foods that contain Omega-3 fatty acids, like salmon and eggs.

So, what's the next step? More than 90 percent of doctors surveyed agreed patients need more education on lipid management. Patients who discuss triglycerides with a physician are more likely to be aware of normal lipid levels.

"We're going to work hard to improve our physicians' communication skills," Dr. Jones said, "But more patients should ask." To find out more about healthy lipid levels, talk to your healthcare provider or visit the National Lipid Association web site at http://www.lipid.org/.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

SOURCE: Ivanhoe interview with Peter H. Jones, M.D., of Baylor College of Medicine in Houston