Triglycerides and Heart Health

Q: What are triglycerides, and how do they affect my heart?

A: Triglycerides are fatty substances found in the blood—in fact, most body fat is composed of triglycerides. If you eat more calories than your body can use, the excess is converted into triglycerides and transported to fat cells to be stored. Hormones regulate the storage and release of triglycerides.

To get an accurate reading of your triglyceride level, you will need to fast overnight. Too many triglycerides—above 180 mg/dL—can raise your risk of heart disease. Lifestyle changes, such as losing weight, reducing saturated and trans fats, and becoming more physically active, are the first things you should try if your triglycerides are elevated. If that does not work, there are medications available to help lower your levels.

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Jennifer H. Mieres, M.D., is director of nuclear cardiology and associate professor of clinical medicine at New York University. She’s also a spokesperson for the American Heart Association.