A study in the medical journal, "Circulation," compared: triglyceride levels, triglyceride to HDL(so-called "good") cholesterol ratios, and LDL(so-called "bad") to HDL cholesterol ratios. Two groups were used in the study: 340 men and women who had had heart attacks and 340 men and women with no history of heart disease. By far the most significant difference in the two groups was in the triglyceride to HDL ratio. Individuals with a high triglyceride to HDL ratio had 16 timesgreater risk of heart attack than those with a low triglyceride to HDL ratio.

(Circulation, October 1997; 112:629-639)

Comment: Physicians and clients often ask why the Health Equations Chem Profile does not test LDL cholesterol. The LDL to HDL ratio is the standard for identifying cardiovascular risk. This study shows that the triglyceride to HDL ratio is a better indicator. Look at your Health Equations Score Plot. If your Triglyceride Score is above 35, subtract your Good Cholesterol Score from the Triglyceride Score. For example, if your Triglyceride Score is plus 60 and your Good Cholesterol Score is minus 30, the difference is 90. If the difference between these two scores is greater than 50, you have high insulin. Insulin increases triglycerides and decreases good cholesterol. High insulin is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular disease. Continue below with Carbohydrates and Heart Disease.

© Health Equations 2002

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