Kristen
I have a triglyceride level of over 400 (I'm like 7 times likely to have heart disease according to my GP) and my cholesterol LDL is 265 and the HDL is 35. The LDL is the bad cholesterol, the HDL is the good cholesterol. LDL on me is too high and the HDL is too low. My triglycerides are off the charts! (Normal triglyderide level should be about 150.) I was sent to a cardiologist to have some tests done because Pravochal would not lower my cholesterol -- in fact it would lower it (but not below 200) and then the next time it would be over 300. The cardiologist I saw sent me to have a heart scan (the new CT scanning device) and we found that I have no blockages of the 3 main arteries of the heart! YEA! Great news! He changed me to Zocor, told me to exercise (which I've been doing water aerobics 3 days a week because of spinal surgeries) and change my diet. He told me to buy the book called SUGAR BUSTERS!, which I did and I'm following that diet. It cuts out all the refined sugars in your diet (I'm also predisposed to Type II diabetes) -- it's been tough, especially since I love chocolate and soda pops! Hope this helped some of you. But you really need to have a heart-to-heart with your doctor and ask him what is best for you as far as diet. Good luck to all.