Don’t Neglect Your Triglyceride Level

Once you’ve got your total cholesterol and the ‘bad’ cholesterol (LDL-C) under control, it’s easy to think everything is fine. It may not be, though. A Danish study reported in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows a clear parallel between raised triglyceride levels and the likelihood of an ischemic stroke (the commonest type of stroke).

This study measured non-fasting triglycerides; this may not be the usual type of sample, as triglycerides are usually determined on fasting blood samples. Elevated non-fasting triglycerides have been implicated in coronary artery disease, so it seemed pertinent for the researchers to look at a relationship with ischemic stroke. Thirty-year data from almost 14,000 men and women between 20 and 93 were analyzed.

The subjects were classified according to their non-fasting triglyceride levels above 89 mg/dL. Those with a level between 89 and 176 mg/dL had a 30% higher risk of ischemic stroke; between 177 and 265 mg/dL a 60% increase (men) or 100% increase (women); between 266 and 353 mg/dL a 50% (men) or 40% increase (women); and between 354 and 442 a 120% (men) or 150% increase (women).

Clearly, raised triglyceride levels must be added to the list of risk factors for stroke. Both men and women stroke victims averaged non-fasting levels about 40 mg/dL higher than people without stroke. There are effective ways to lower a raised triglyceride level, so don’t ignore the problem; ask your doctor for advice and, if necessary, the appropriate medication.