Triglycerides

[Jerry S]

I have high Triglycerides 535.  They have aways been high.  With diet I have been able to get my Cholesterol down form about 225 to 180, but my Triglycerides still are 535.  My HDL is 28.  I am 55.  I am about 175lb, and I walk at a good pace about 4 times a week for 45 min.  What can I do next to get them down.  I would like to try anything before I have to use drugs.

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

According to American heart association guidelines an HDL of 35 or less is an independent risk factor for developing heart disease.  Less is known about the risk of triglycerides.

[bob]

If a person has t.cholestrol 161, hdl 35, ldl 80 and triglycides 220..is he at low or high risk of getting chd, because of high triglycides and low hdl.Thank you.Bob

[Cleveland Clinic, MD]

If you are serious about trying to reduce your triglycerides without medication you will need to follow a much more vigerous exercise program - (i.e 5-6 days/week, exercise to the point of sweating for 1 hour) and follow a very low fat and suger diet.  It can be done but it is not easy.