If you've had your cholesterol checked recently, you probably noticed that the report included a triglyceride count as well. That's a measurement of the amount of fat circulating in your bloodstream; along with cholesterol, it's a factor in the development of cardiovascular disease. Building on what scientists know of this connection, a study in a recent issue of Circulation identifies a link between blood triglyceride levels and risk of stroke.

A closer look at this type of blood lipid

In this analysis, Israeli researchers measured the blood triglyceride levels of more than 11,000 middle-aged and older patients with coronary heart disease. Patients were then monitored for up to 8 years for signs of ischemic stroke, the most common type of stroke, caused by lack of blood flow to the brain.

The researchers found that those with high blood triglyceride levels (over 200 mg/dL, or 2.3 mmol/L) were almost three times more likely than others in the study to suffer an ischemic stroke. These results held even after they considered other factors -- like cholesterol levels, age, smoking status, and medical history -- known to affect the risk of stroke.

One piece of the puzzle

Not all studies that have looked for a link between triglycerides and stroke have come to the same conclusion, but there is a plausible explanation for these findings. Ischemic stroke results from a type of blood vessel disease similar to heart disease -- both are the end result of arteries damaged and narrowed by plaque. Triglyceride-filled particles contribute to the fatty deposits that build up along artery walls, and high triglycerides may make blood cells more likely to clot, setting the stage for a stroke. The authors note that everyone in this current study had a history of heart disease, which may have amplified the health impact of high triglyceride levels.

Keeping track of blood lipids

The body takes in triglycerides from the fat in foods; it also converts carbohydrates not needed for energy to triglycerides for storage. Either way, high levels are part of an unhealthy lipid profile that contributes to cardiovascular disease. According to the National Cholesterol Education Program guidelines, a healthy level is below 150 mg/dL; doctors become concerned when levels rise above 200 mg/dL (2.3 mmol/L).

The American Heart Association says that diet and lifestyle changes are the key to controlling high triglycerides. Their advice to consumers includes these points:

• Follow a low-fat, low-cholesterol diet.
• Lose weight if necessary. Limit calories from all kinds of foods --carbohydrate, protein, and fats. In some individuals, a high-carbohydrate, low-fat diet -- the choice of many dieters -- appears to raise triglyceride levels.
• Choose omega-3 fatty acid-rich fish -- tuna, salmon, lake trout, herring -- several times a week instead of meats, like regular hamburger, that are high in saturated fats.
• Limit alcohol intake; even a small amount can boost triglycerides in some people

If your triglycerides remain high in spite of such methods, your physician can prescribe appropriate medication for this