While it's important to monitor your total cholesterol level, there's another element you need to account for in the prevention of heart disease. The amount of triglycerides in your bloodstream can also contribute to the development of this condition.

Features

When your doctor refers to your triglyceride levels, he's actually talking about a type of fat (also known as a lipid) that is stored in your body.

Significance

Almost any type of diet can contribute to an elevated triglyceride level, since any excess calories you eat (above those you burn) are eventually turned into triglycerides. It's your body's way of storing energy for later use.

Identification

A reading of anywhere between 200 and 499 mg/dL (milligrams per deciliter) is considered a high triglyceride level. As soon as this number reaches 500 mg/dL, it's categorized as very high.

Effects

Any time your triglyceride levels elevate above 200 mg/dL, you're at a greater risk of developing arteriosclerosis, which is a hardening of the arteries. Once this occurs, you're not only at a greater risk of heart disease, but you're also more likely to suffer from a heart attack or stroke.

Prevention/Solution

To ensure you keep your triglyceride levels in a healthy range, keep your caloric intake down to the recommended number for your age, height, sex and body type. From there, make sure you're getting proper exercise, maintain a healthy weight and limit cholesterol intake as well as saturated fat. You should also eliminate refined sugars and highly-processed foods from your eating regimen.

Source:

Mayo Clinic: Triglycerides

Mayo Clinic: High Blood Cholesterol

Cleveland Clinic: High Cholesterol