High Triglycerides Raise Stroke Risk

High levels of a blood fat called triglycerides greatly increase the risk of stroke, researchers say. They used data from a 31-year study of 14,000 Danish men and women. Triglycerides were measured several times through the years. People with the highest levels were 3 to 4 times as likely to have a stroke as those with the lowest levels. The increase was for ischemic stroke. This type is caused by blockage of a blood vessel in the brain. Researchers also found that triglycerides don't need to be measured after 8 to 12 hours without food.

The Triglyceride/Diabetes Connection

When a doctor orders a lipid panel -- a test that measures cholesterol and triglycerides in the blood -- we often focus on our cholesterol numbers. But knowing your triglyceride level is important, too.

Reducing excess triglycerides in the blood can lower your chance of developing diabetes as well as heart disease and other problems. And if you already have diabetes, keeping triglycerides under control can greatly reduce the chance of having a heart attack or stroke.