It also covers how to lower VLDL and triglycerides.
Verywell / Catherine Song
What Is VLDL?
Cholesterol and triglycerides are lipids, substances that dont dissolve in your blood.
Verywell / Catherine Song
Because of this, they must be carried along by specific proteins.
When the proteins are packaged with non-dissolvable fatty substances, they are called lipoproteins.
These lipoproteins are very important in moving cholesterol and triglycerides around in the body to where they are needed.
High-density lipoproteins (HDLs) contain the most protein and are the smallest and most dense of the lipoproteins.
Low-density lipoproteins (LDLs) are less dense than HDLs and contain more cholesterol.
Many people have heard of HDL and LDL because they are standard cholesterol tests.
However, there are also some other kinds of lipoproteins, such as VLDL.
VLDLs are even less dense than LDLs.
Unlike LDL, they contain more triglycerides than cholesterol.
The liver releases VLDL particles into the bloodstream.
Medical Conditions
Other conditions might also lead to elevated triglycerides and elevated VLDL.
These include:
Medications
Certain medications might also raise your triglycerides and your VLDL.
Some of these include:
Who Needs to Get Their VLDL Tested?
VLDL is not usually tested alone but can be added to standard lipid and cholesterol tests.
Most of the time, VLDL wont give additional helpful information if you already know your triglyceride number.
Adults need regular screenings included on standard cholesterol and lipid tests.
These usually include HDL, LDL, triglycerides, and total cholesterol.
You might need more frequent tests if you are at higher risk for cardiovascular disease.
The triglyceride test measures all triglycerides in your blood, not just the ones attached to VLDL.
you might estimate your VLDL by dividing your triglyceride level by 5.
(This works if the value is mg/dL.)
This usually provides a pretty good estimate, but it might not if your triglycerides are very high.
A VLDL of greater than 30 mg/dL or 0.77 mmol/L is considered high.
A VLDL of greater than 30 mg/dL or 0.77 mmol/L is considered high.
Researchers are still learning more about the exact importance of VLDL and how it fits into cardiovascular health.
What Happens if I Have High VLDL?
Its normal and healthy to have some VLDL in your body.
(However, this label is a bit of a misnomer, since VLDL contains relatively little cholesterol.)
Over time, this can lead to serious potential health problems, such as heart attack or stroke.
Elevated VLDL and triglycerides seem to increase the risk of atherosclerosis.
So taking steps to lower your VLDL might theoretically decrease your risk of having such problems.
How Can I Lower My VLDL and Triglycerides?
Because VLDL and triglycerides are so closely related, lowering your triglycerides should also lower your VLDL.
You may need lifestyle changes or medical intervention to decrease your risk of heart attack and stroke.
Lifestyle changes are critically important in lowering triglycerides and reducing your overall risk of atherosclerosis-related medical problems.
Ask your healthcare provider to ensure you are getting the regular cholesterol and lipid screening you need.
Its essential to keep up on your screenings if you have other risk factors for heart disease.
That will give you and your clinician the best information to create your optimal health plan.
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