High triglycerides, which increase the risk of heart disease and stroke, can be caused by disease, medication, diet, heredity, and age. Lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and exercise, can help lower triglycerides and cholesterol levels. A doctor can administer a blood test and prescribe medication if necessary.
There are a number of causes of high triglycerides, which are necessary fats found in the bloodstream that help provide the body with energy. High triglycerides, however, go hand in hand with high cholesterol and can significantly increase your risk of heart disease and stroke. For this reason, it is important to identify the causes of high triglycerides and try to keep them within normal limits through diet and exercise.
Causes of high triglycerides include disease, medications, diet, and heredity. Some of these can’t be changed, but lifestyle changes can help lower cholesterol and lower triglycerides at the same time. Hypothyroidism, kidney disease, and diabetes are three of the most common causes of high triglycerides, so it’s important to manage these conditions and always follow your doctor’s instructions. Medications such as birth control pills, beta blockers, diuretics, and steroids, among others, also cause high triglyceride levels.
Of course, diet is a major cause of high triglycerides and one of the most easily changed. Diets high in fat and sugar cause high cholesterol and triglycerides, so it’s important to limit fat, sugar, processed foods and soda, for example. A better diet for preventing high triglycerides, as well as for lowering cholesterol levels, is a diet composed primarily of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Red meat should be avoided and replaced with chicken or fish as much as possible; also switch to low-fat cheeses and skimmed milk.
Additionally, exercise can make a big difference in triglyceride levels. When you lose weight, your blood pressure, cholesterol and triglycerides generally also drop, which reduces your risk of stroke and heart disease. Aerobic exercise is the best way to lose weight and improve overall health; brisk walking, jogging, swimming, or using aerobic machines at a fitness center are all effective ways to get aerobic exercise. Also, you should quit smoking and limit your alcohol intake.
High triglycerides also tend to show up with age, so it’s especially important to follow a healthy diet and lifelong exercise program. If one is concerned about cholesterol and triglyceride levels, a simple blood test administered by a doctor can determine whether they are a cause for concern. Normal triglyceride levels are considered to be below 150; the limit falls between 150 and 200, while anything above 200 is determined to be high to dangerously high. A doctor may be able to make medication changes to help lower even very high triglycerides.
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