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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
Concerned about increasing Triglycerides
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
Concerned about increasing Triglycerides
by Fred__0, Jul 03, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by Fred on July 03, 1999 at 14:29:27
I underwent a quadruple bypass in December. A lipid panel at 2 months revealed my cholesterol to be 167. HDL and LDL were also wnl. My triglycerides were 245. These findings placed me in an "average risk category". Repeat profile done at 6 months revealed my cholesterol to be the same, with HDL being somewhat lower and LDL remaining about the same, but my triglycerides are now 306 and I am in an "above risk category". I have been on a strict low fat, low sodium diet since surgery and my exercise activity involves me riding more than 30 miles a week on a bicycle. Do I need to be on a lipid lowering agent such as Lopid or on Niacin? Can you provide some explanation as to why my triglycerides continue to increase. Thank-you.
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on July 05, 1999 at 08:17:56
Dear Fred
Many cardiologists would agree that elevated trigylcerides represent a risk factor for heart disease. This is particularly true in the setting of a low HDL. Medications are a consideration, but first I would recommend aerobic exercise and a low fat diet, which it sounds like you are doing. Alcohol can increase triglycerides, so cut that out of your life. Estrogen replacement can raise triglycerides, but that would not be a concern in males. Patients who are diabetic, or on their way to becoming diabetic, often have elevated triglycerides and it would be worthwhile to be evaluated for diabetes.
I hope this has been useful. Feel free to write back with further questions. Good luck.
Information provided here is of a general nature. Specific diagnoses and treatments can only be made by your doctor. If you would like to be seen at the Cleveland Clinic, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE for an appointment with a cardiologist at Desk F15.
Posted by Kristine on July 05, 1999 at 10:54:22
What is considered high for triglycerides?! I remember reading on here sometime that they can sometimes be up close to 1000 (I guess that was considered high) Is 250 -300 high? Are they usually tested after fasting, because recently after having mine tested they were like 440, but that was also NOT a fasting blood test either. Thanks :)
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD - DLB on July 06, 1999 at 12:59:58
Dear Kristine
A triglyceride level is usually measured in a fasting state; a level higher than 200-250 is considered abnormal, and is associated with an increased risk of heart disease in several studies. Levels above 1000 need to be treated with medications, primarily to prevent inflammation of the pancreas.
I hope this has been useful. I wish you the best of luck. Feel free to write back.
Information provided here is for general purposes only. Specific questions should be addressed to your own doctor. If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter. The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.
