How serious is a triglyceride reading of 415 in a senior?

Wow! My understanding is that it should be under 200. That would seem to be off the charts, but I also understand that the result should be taken in context with other readings, such as total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, blood pressure, etc. It does raise a red flag and your s/o should check with a physician to have other tests run.

He has had every kind of test imaginable for years. His paper just said he needs to exercise to reduce his blood fats. Of course, they didn’t mention DIET , the most important point. But, then, they’re doctors=not dietitians.

The National Cholesterol Education Program sets guidelines for triglyceride levels:

Normal triglycerides means there are less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL).

Borderline high triglycerides = 150 to 199 mg/dL.

High triglycerides = 200 to 499 mg/dL.

Very high triglycerides = 500 mg/dL or higher.

He does need to eat better (less, more plants, etc) also.

@gailcalled He does have a terrible diet. I mean, there is no indication he cares at all what he puts into his body. Thanks for the info; quite useful. I think if he would get off his chair it might even help.

High Carb diets with a lot of refined sugars and starches can cause the triglycerides to rise. Mine got that high AND with “small particle size lipids”. I was on med’s that night.

Those kind of numbers are reason to worry about a Cardiovascular accident known as a stoke, at anytime!

I’m not a doctor.

He has passed out twice in the last 3 years, got up and drove home. Amazing.

Not good! I hope the car is his and not on your insurance policy. I also hope the life insurance policy names you a beneficiary, and so does his will.

My numbers were in the 250s for years. I believe the high triglycerides were a factor in my mild heart attack 6 years ago, because all my other numbers were normal. My doctor prescribed Zocor (Simvastatin) and I cut out doughnuts and pizza (my downfall) from my diet, and my latest test showed 92. So I agree with @Tropical_Willie about high carbs and refined sugars.

But, I am not a doctor. Your s/o should see a doctor.

@Aster He must really eat a lousy diet. I take it you’ve tried to get him to change? My doc uses 150 as the max.

When a couch potato eats fried potatoes instead of walking and eating brocolli then this is what happens.

That’s definitely a high number. My triglycerides were high when I was a teenager. The nutritionist told me to reduce my sugar intake and I also was lowering my fats and cholesterol at the same time. My tryglicerides came right down to normal, and are normal all the time for many many years now, even when my cholesterol is still high. I think the sugar consumption is a big part of the triglycerides number. I never cut back in a very significant way on carbs and sugar, just enough that it counts I guess. The nutrionist pointed to my soda consumption at the time and told me not to substitute juices, which would be just as bad. I also cut back on junk foods.

There are medications for high triglycerides.