EspañolMost cholesterol checks will often determine fats, butthey are n’t a type of lipid. But, fats are related to the two kinds of cholesterol: LDL and HDL. Similar to cholesterol, triglycerides are different kinds of lipids ( or fats ) that pass through the blood to perform essential bodily functions. And, like LDL cholesterol, high amounts of fats may pose challenges to heart health. We reached up to New York doctor and part of the HealthyWomen Women’s Health Advisory Council Nieca Goldberg, M. D., to talk about what we can do to maintain high fats. How do large fats affect my risk of having a heart attack or a stroke? A common fat board measures levels of overall cholesterol as well as lipids, but this amount is often overlooked. Higher levels of fats increase the risk of heart attacks and strokes by promoting atherosclerosis, the accumulation of incendiary and cholesterin, in the windows of the blood vessels that supply the blood to the heart muscles. Another crucial reason to keep triglycerides in check is that extremely high triglycerides are linked to pancreas inflammation ( pancreatitis ). How do I know if I have great triglycerides? There are no signs if you have higher triglycerides. But, first, get a fat board and inquire about your lipid level. Borderline high levels are above 150 milligrams per deciliter ( mg/dL ), high levels are greater than 200 mg/dL, and very high levels are above 500 mg/dL. Talk to your care provider about the best way to manage the cardiovascular risk that comes with any elevated triglycerides amount if the amount is higher than 150 mg/dL. If I have high triglycerides, if I avoid specific food? Looking at your food is the first step in managing the cardiovascular risk associated with increased and high triglycerides. Alcohol, fat, simple carbs and sugars can all raise your fats. Instead of eating foods that are high in saturated fat, plain sugar and carbohydrates, eat a Mediterranean-style meal with complex carbs— such as whole grains — and plenty of fruits, vegetables and healthy oils like omega-3. These are the types of fats found in fish, olive, canola or avocado oil. Getting in shape and eating less can lower triglycerides. It’s also smart to reduce your alcohol intake. How can I lower the risk of cardiovascular disease and triglycerides? Oftentimes, if triglycerides are mildly elevated, a simple dietary change like eating more fish is sufficient, along with switching to a healthy diet and exercising more. However, if your levels are moderate to high, your doctor may order prescription-strength fish oil or omega-3s, which has higher levels of omega-3 fatty acids than over-the-counter dietary supplement options. Some of these prescription-strength fish oils contain omega-3 fatty acids called EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid ) and DHA ( docosahexaenoic acid ), and others contain only a purified form of EPA called IPE (icosapent ethyl ). All of these products can lower your triglycerides and lower your risk of developing pancreatitis, but they do n’t all reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke. However, prescription-strength omega-3 with pure EPA, called IPE, has been proven in clinical trials to reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease when used with statins, drugs used to lower cholesterol. The most commonly used fibrates have n’t been shown to lower the risk of heart attack or stroke, despite the fact that another medication called fibrates can lower triglycerides. This educational resource was made possible by Amarin. ArticlesRelated Articles About the Web from Your Site

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