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Overview
What are high blood triglycerides?
High blood triglycerides are a type of lipid disorder or dyslipidemia. This condition may occur on its own, in combination with other lipid disorders such as high blood cholesterol or low HDL cholesterol or as part of metabolic syndrome.
What are high blood triglycerides symptoms?
High blood triglycerides typically do not cause any symptoms. However, if left untreated or uncontrolled, elevated triglyceride levels can increase your risk of serious complications, such as coronary heart disease and stroke. Extremely high blood triglyceride levels can also lead to acute pancreatitis, a condition characterized by inflammation of the pancreas, resulting in severe abdominal pain.
What causes high blood triglycerides?
High blood triglycerides can result from various factors, including medical conditions, genetics, lifestyle habits and certain medications. Conditions that may raise blood triglyceride levels include thyroid disease, diabetes, liver and kidney diseases and obesity.
Genetic factors can cause lead to elevated triglyceride levels. Additionally, a sedentary lifestyle, a diet high in fat and sugar or drinking too much alcohol can increase triglycerides. Certain medications, such as those used to treat breast cancer, high blood pressure, HIV and other conditions, may also increase blood triglyceride levels.
How doctors diagnose high blood triglycerides
Based on your risk factors and your personal and family health history, your doctor may recommend testing for high blood triglycerides through a routine blood test called a lipid panel. A lipid panel measures your total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels.
Your doctor may diagnose you with high blood triglycerides if your fasting blood triglyceride levels are consistently 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) or higher. Normal fasting blood triglyceride levels are less than 75 mg/dL for children under the age of 10 and less than 90 mg/dL for children aged 10 and older and adults.
How to treat high blood triglycerides
If you are diagnosed with high blood triglycerides, your doctor may first recommend adopting heart-healthy lifestyle changes or certain medications.
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Medication
- Fibrates
- Omega-3 fatty acids
- Nicotinic acid
- Statins to control or lower your triglyceride level
- Keep in mind that non-statin medications aimed at lowering triglycerides are less effective in lowering your risk of coronary heart disease
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Lifestyle changes
- Limiting alcohol, added sugars and foods high in saturated or trans fats
- Getting regular physical activity
- Quitting smoking
- Aiming for a healthy weight
High blood triglycerides treatment near you
Cardiology services at Ballad Health
Our extensive network of highly trained cardiologists, surgeons and advanced practice providers are here to support you and help you navigate a heart-related diagnosis.
Learn more about heart and vascular services at Ballad Health.
CVA Heart Institute Learning Center
We understand that receiving a high blood triglycerides diagnosis can be overwhelming. Our goal is to alleviate your fears and help you to understand your condition.
We have an informational video library, education tools and heart-related FAQs so that you have the resources you need.
Heart care patient stories
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Read our patient stories
Our patients inspire us every day, and we’re honored when they trust us with their care. They tell their stories best, so we’ve gathered a few here to share with you.
Many of these patients received life-saving care for heart conditions when they weren’t experiencing any symptoms. These experiences have changed they way they look at their individual care and helped them see the importance of regular preventive screenings.