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Triglyceride
Levels Can Be Deadly ATLANTA - A blood chemical that doctors check during physical exams raises the risks for a fatal heart attack, but patients can take steps to combat it before it becomes deadly. For the first time, researchers have proved that a blood-fat chemical known as triglycerides can raise risks of dying from a heart attack. The chemical sharply increases a person's risk of dying, even if blood cholesterol levels are normal. Triglyceride levels above 200 milligrams per deciliter of blood are considered to be a risk. ``Now that we know too many triglycerides can be harmful, our next step is to do more research to see if lowering them with medication works,'' said Dr. Melissa Austin professor of epidemiology at the University of Washington and lead researcher of a study published in Circulation: Journal of the American Heart Association. Researchers are testing some drugs in clinical trials. Until then, ``the best thing for people to do is exercise and maintain a proper diet,'' Austin said. The heart association recommends these steps for people to reduce hypertriglyceridemia - the condition caused by having too much triglyceride in blood: -- If you're overweight, cut down on calories to reach your ideal body weight. This includes all sources of calories from fat, proteins, carbohydrates and alcohol. -- Reduce the fat and cholesterol content of your diet. -- Start and stick to a regular exercise program. -- People with high triglycerides may need to substitute monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats instead of carbohydrates for saturated fats. Carbohydrates raise triglyceride levels and decrease HDL, the ``good'' cholesterol. -- Reduce intake of alcohol considerably to no more than one or two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women. The incidence of heart disease in those who consume these moderate amounts of alcohol is lower than in nondrinkers. However, excessive use of alcohol can raise the levels of some fats in the blood and lead to hypertriglyceridemia. Heavy drinking has been linked to stroke, high blood pressure and heart failure. The findings on triglycerides are the result of a 20-year study conducted by the heart association. Researchers monitored 100 families to find a possible genetic link between primary relatives - siblings and offspring - and heart disease. The study found that people had a 70 percent greater risk of getting heart disease if their relatives had elevated triglyceride levels. High levels of triglycerides may also be a consequence of other diseases, such as untreated diabetes mellitus. |
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