Triglycerides and high cholesterol levels are strongly connected and both when are in excess increase the risk for coronary heart disease. Having high Triglycerides levels in your blood may also indicate a cholesterol problems and the need to lower cholesterol due to the risk of heart disease. However, having high cholesterol does not always mean you have high triglycerides level, although both cholesterol and triglycerides are measured through blood plasma sample, in the same way ad both require 12 hour fast prior to the test for maximum accuracy.

Triglycerides are the type of fat (found if food, tissues and plasma and are made of 3 fatty acids and glycerol) that is carried by lipoproteins through your bloodstream. Most of the fat from your fat tissues is made of Triglycerides. The problem with lipoproteins that are heavy with triglycerides is that they are also rich in cholesterol. Same as with LDL cholesterol, when there is excess in triglycerides in the blood, triglycerides are stored as fat cells waiting to be used as energy when needed by your body.

Excess of triglycerides as well as cholesterol can lead to significant blockage in artery walls due to the build up of plaque that narrows and hardens the arteries leading to atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease.

The recommended level of triglycerides is: 150 mg/dl. Above 150 mg/dl and below 199 mg/dl is considered borderline. Above 100 and below 500 mg/dl is considered high and slightly dangerous level. Having triglycerides level above 500mg/dl is considered extremely high and requires immediate measures to lower triglycerides.

Lowering triglycerides can be achieved without drugs and side effects, through low fat and low in cholesterol diet, rich in essential fatty acids, replacing saturated fat with monounsaturated or polyunsaturated fats, taking vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and regular exercise can greatly reduce your triglycerides levels, lower your overall blood cholesterol and minimize the risk for heart disease.