The rapid increase in the size of the heart disease problem over the last few years has resulted in a growing awareness of the seriousness of the problem and the need for people to take steps to control the risk of cardiac disease. Medical research and hence treatment methods are getting more advanced by the day, but as even the best cardiologists would tell you, prevention is better than cure and therefore the need to check various parameters to keep them under control is of paramount importance.
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Among the number of factors and medical terms that relate to heart conditions are cholesterol and triglycerides. They are both lipids (fats) that are in the blood and high levels of either cause heart and circulation problems. Because they are both fats people often think of them as being the same thing, which is incorrect. They are different in the functions they perform and knowing about the difference is important to understanding what they do and how they affect heart health.
The main difference between cholesterol and triglycerides is that cholesterol is used to build cells in the body and to help in the production of certain hormones. In other words, cholesterol is one of the many building blocks that work to build and replenish the body. Triglycerides are burned by the metabolism to create the energy the body requires to function. Cholesterol builds the body while triglycerides are consumed to give it energy. Both cholesterol and triglycerides are produced by the body. However, while the body is able to produce all the cholesterol it needs on its own, this is not the case with triglycerides. The creation of triglycerides is supplemented by the food that we consume.
Among the hormones that cholesterol helps to produce are those related to sex drive and activity. In males, this hormone is known as testosterone. In the cases of females, there are 2 hormones – estrogen and progesterone. Cholesterol also aids in the production of cortisol, a hormone that helps in the control of stress levels in both men and women. Cholesterol, when combined with the sunlight the skin is exposed to, builds vitamin D. It also aids in the production of bile which is used by the digestive system to digest fats and absorb vitamins A, D, E and K.
Triglycerides are produced in the liver from the basic elements of fatty acids and glucose. A chain of glucose called glycerol is built. 3 fatty acids then attach themselves to these chains which are known as triglycerides. Triglycerides are stored in either the liver or in the muscles. When the body requires energy, the triglycerides are broken down to produce it. Left over fatty acids are carried back to the liver by the blood where they once again attached to the glycerol chains to become triglycerides.
Dangers
While the role of cholesterol as a contributing factor to heart disease is well known, the exact relationship between high triglyceride levels of cardiac conditions is still being studied. What is known is that high triglyceride levels are associated with high blood pressure, obesity and diabetes, all of which lead to heart disease.
Regular checks to monitor the levels of cholesterol and triglycerides are important as high levels of either lead to various cardiac and circulation issues. Contact the cardiology department of a reputed specialty hospital which is sure to have the best cardiologists to have your cholesterol and triglyceride levels monitored along with other factors that could affect your heart. If problems exist, early detection is a key factor in the speed and completeness of the treatment and cure.
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
Chennai – 044 4000 6000 • Trichy – Cantonment – 0431 4077777 • Trichy – Heartcity – 0431 4003500 • Trichy – Tennur – 0431 4022555 • Hosur – 04344 272727 • Salem – 0427 2677777 • Tirunelveli – 0462 4006000 • Bengaluru – 080 6801 6801
