Increased non-fasting triglycerides linked to greater stroke risk

Increasing levels of non-fasting triglycerides have been linked to an increased risk of ischemic stroke, research has found.

Findings published in journal Annals of Neurology revealed that while higher cholesterol levels were associated with an increased risk of stroke in men only, rising triglycerides were found to be linked to a greater risk in both males and females.

Study author Dr Marianne Benn, from Copenhagen University Hospital, said: "Interestingly, current guidelines on stroke prevention have recommendations on desirable cholesterol levels, but not on non-fasting triglycerides."

Meanwhile, Luke Griggs, spokesman for Headway, said that more research needs to be done before hypothermia can be considered a safe and effective treatment for reducing brain injury following a stroke.

He said that while the brain injury association welcomes any innovations that could be beneficial to those with the condition, the evidence for the brain-cooling therapy is so far divided.

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