What Is the Function of Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are lipids, a type of fat. They are found in foods that come from both plants and animals. The triglycerides in plants come from vegetable oils, such as sunflower and peanut, which remain liquid at room temperature. Meat and dairy products contain triglycerides in animal fats, which remain solid at room temperature. Triglycerides are necessary for certain bodily functions, but high levels of them can lead to health problems. Characteristics Triglycerides are the most common lipid found in the body. They contain three chains of fatty acids. Although similar in structure to the phospholipids that build cell membranes, triglycerides are completely hydrophobic, meaning they cannot mix with water, so they cannot integrate into membranes. Because they can't mix with water, triglycerides bind to specialized proteins called lipoproteins to enable them to travel through the blood. Energy Storage Triglycerides provide your body with energy, but their main function is to store energy for later use. The food you eat contains calories in the form of carbohydrates, protein and fat. When you consume more calories than your body can use, it stores those calories in the form of triglycerides. Fat cells hold the triglyceride molecules until your body needs energy, such as between meals. Hormones signal the fat cells to release the triglycerides for your body to use. Health Impact Triglycerides serve a necessary function -- without them your body would run out of energy unless you were eating constantly. The American Heart Association warns that an elevated triglyceride level, a condition known as hypertriglyceridemia, is associated with coronary artery disease. You can monitor your triglyceride and your cholesterol levels by asking your doctor to order a lipid panel profile, which requires you to provide blood samples. The test results indicate the levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and HDL cholesterol. Healthy Levels Doctors recommend a triglyceride level of 150 milligrams per deciliter or less to reduce your risk of heart disease. A level of 200 to 499 milligrams per deciliter is considered high, and a level above 500 milligrams per deciliter is very high. If your triglyceride level is in the high or very high range, you should make lifestyle changes to reduce those numbers. Lifestyle Changes The best way to reduce your triglyceride level is to decrease the number of calories you consume each day, especially if you are overweight. In addition to cutting calories, reduce your intake of saturated fat, trans fat and cholesterol, and eat more fruits and vegetables. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation, because even small amounts can cause significant changes in your blood triglyceride level. Getting

regular moderate-intensity exercise, at least 30 minutes five days a week, can also help lower your triglycerides

Coronary Artery Disease - Cause

Coronary artery disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on the inside of your coronary arteries . Plaque buildup can begin early in life and happens over a lifetime. Coronary artery disease typically begins when the inside walls of the coronary arteries are damaged because of another health problem, such as:

High cholesterol. High blood pressure. Diabetes. Smoking. Plaque, which is made up of excess cholesterol, calcium, and other substances in your blood, builds up on the damaged inner walls of your coronary arteries. This process usually occurs throughout the body and is called atherosclerosis, or "hardening of the arteries." See pictures of atherosclerosis and how high blood pressure damages arteries . Over time, plaque buildup narrows the coronary arteries and can lead to ischemia(insufficient blood flow to the heart muscle). Ischemia (say "is-KEE-meeuh") can weaken the heart muscle, but it usually does not cause heart muscle cells to die. But heart muscle cells can die if blood flow is severely reduced or completely blocked for a period of time. This can happen if plaque breaks apart and makes a clot that blocks an artery. This can cause myocardial infarction, or heart attack.

Acute coronary syndrome: a leading cause of mortality Coronary heart disease is the most common cause of death in the United States (US) and Europe.436,437 Acute coronary syndrome (ACS), a common complication of coronary heart disease, is associated with more than 2.5 million hospitalizations worldwide each year.297 ACS describes clinical disorders ranging from STelevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) to non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction(NSTEMI) and unstable angina (UA).438 It is estimated that a myocardial infarction (MI) occurs every 34 seconds in the US, and that one person dies each minute from a major coronary event.439 Most cases of ACS are caused by rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque in a coronary artery, resulting in the formation of a thrombus.95 When plaques erode or rupture, the resulting thrombus restricts the flow of blood to the heart muscle.438, 440 A

prolonged lack of blood supply resulting in necrosis of heart muscle tissue is defined as an MI.438 Coronary artery with thin muscular media and prominent intimal hyperplasia with calcification. Lumen obstructed by thrombus (arrow).

Coronary atherosclerosis, thrombosis

Plaque rupture results in exposure of the contents of the plaque and subendothelial fibres to the blood, leading to the activation of platelets, which in turn adhere to subendothelial structures. Aggregation of additional platelets causes the thrombus to grow. At the same time, the coagulation cascade is activated, resulting in the production of thrombin, which stimulates further platelet recruitment and aggregation. Thrombin also catalyses the generation of fibrin, which forms the main protein component of the thrombus.95 An area of cardiac muscle damage caused by acute occlusion in a coronary artery that delivers blood to that area.

Cardiac muscle damage in acute coronary syndrome

Coronary artery disease Coronary artery disease, also called coronary heart disease, or simply, heart disease, is the No. 1 killer in America, affecting more than 13 million Americans. Heart disease is a result of plaque buildup in your arteries, which blocks blood flow and heightens the risk for heart attack and stroke.

Recommended Related to Heart Disease

Potassium and Your Heart Potassium is a simple mineral with a crucial job: helping your heart beat. A hundred thousand times a day, potassium helps trigger your heart's squeeze of blood through your body. If you have high blood pressure, heart failure, or heart rhythm problems, getting enough potassium is especially important. Although potassium and cholesterol aren't directly related, eating a potassium-rich diet just might lower your cholesterol, too. Read the Potassium and Your Heart article > >

What Is Coronary Artery Disease? Heart disease is a result of plaque buildup in your coronary arteries -- a condition called atherosclerosis -- that leads to blockages. The arteries, which start out smooth and elastic, become narrow and rigid, restricting blood flow to the heart. The heart becomes starved of oxygen and the vital nutrients it needs to pump properly. How Does Coronary Artery Disease Develop? From a young age, cholesterol-laden plaque can start to deposit in the blood vessel walls. As you get older, the plaque burden builds up, inflaming the blood vessel walls and raising the risk of blood clots and heart attack. The plaques release chemicals that promote the process of healing but make the inner walls of the blood vessel sticky. Then, other substances, such as inflammatory cells, lipoproteins, and calcium that travel in your bloodstream start sticking to the inside of the vessel walls. Eventually, a narrowed coronary artery may develop new blood vessels that go around the blockage to get blood to the heart. However, during times of increased exertion or stress, the new arteries may not be able to supply enough oxygen-rich blood to the heart muscle. In some cases, a blood clot may totally block the blood supply to the heart muscle, causing heart attack. If a blood vessel to the brain is blocked, usually from a blood clot, an ischemic stroke can result. If a blood vessel within the brain bursts, most likely as a result of uncontrolled hypertension (high blood pressure), a hemorrhagic stroke can result. What Is Ischemia? Cardiac ischemia occurs when plaque and fatty matter narrow the inside of an artery to a point where it cannot supply enough oxygen-rich blood to meet your heart's needs. Heart attack can occur - with or without chest pain and other symptoms. Ischemia is most commonly experienced during:

Exercise or exertion Eating Excitement or stress Exposure to cold Coronary artery disease can progress to a point where ischemia occurs even at rest. And ichemia can occur without any warning signs in anyone with heart disease, although it is more common in people with diabetes . What Are the Symptoms of Coronary Artery Disease? The most common symptom of coronary artery disease is angina, or chest pain. Angina can be described as a heaviness, pressure, aching, burning, numbness, fullness, squeezing or painful feeling. It can be mistaken for indigestion or heartburn. Angina is usually felt in the chest, but may also be felt in the left shoulder, arms, neck, back, or jaw. Other symptoms that can occur with coronary artery disease include:

Shortness of breath Palpitations (irregular heart beats, skipped beats, or a "flip-flop" feeling in your chest)

A faster heartbeat Weakness or dizziness Nausea Sweating