High Triglycerides

The Basics

Written by the doctors and editors at UpToDate пїЅ пїЅ

What are high triglycerides? " пїЅ Triglycerides are fat-like substances in the blood. Everyone has them, but some people have too much of them. This can cause high levels of triglycerides in the blood, also called "high triglycerides. " пїЅ пїЅ пїЅ

Compared with people who have normal triglycerides, people with high triglycerides can have a higher risk of heart attacks, strokes, and other health problems. пїЅ пїЅ

People with very high triglycerides can get inflammation in the pancreas. The pancreas is an organ that makes hormones and fluids to help the body break down food. When the pancreas gets inflamed, it can cause serious health problems. пїЅ пїЅ

What should my triglyceride level be? " пїЅ Ask your doctor or nurse what your triglyceride level should be. In general, levels are: пїЅ пїЅ

Normal " пїЅ less than 150 mg/dL (If you live outside the United States, triglycerides are measured differently. The normal level is less than 1.7 mmol/L.)
Close to high " пїЅ 150 to 199 mg/dL (1.7 to 2.2 mmol/L)
High " пїЅ 200 to 499 mg/dL (2.3 to 5.6 mmol/L)
Very high " пїЅ greater than 500 mg/dL (5.7 mmol/L)

What should I do if my doctor tells me I have high triglycerides? " пїЅ Ask your doctor what your total risk of heart attacks and strokes is. Having high triglycerides is just one of many things that can increase your risk of heart attacks and strokes. You are also at higher risk if you: пїЅ пїЅ

Smoke cigarettes
Have high blood pressure
Are overweight
Have a parent, sister, or brother who got heart disease at a young age (Young, in this case, means younger than 55 for men and younger than 65 for women.)
Are a man " пїЅ Women are at risk too, but men have a higher risk.
Are older
Have diabetes " пїЅ Especially if you cannot control your blood sugar well.

Should I take medicine to lower my triglycerides? " пїЅ Not everyone who has high triglycerides needs medicines to lower them. Your doctor or nurse will decide if you need medicine. It depends on your age, family history, and other health concerns. People who already have a condition called "coronary heart disease " пїЅ almost always need to take medicine for high triglycerides. пїЅ пїЅ

Medicines can include: пїЅ пїЅ

Medicines to lower triglyceride levels " пїЅ These include fenofibrate (sample brand names: Antara, Fenoglide), nicotinic acid (sample brand names: Niacor, Niaspan), or fish oil (brand name: Lovaza).
Statins " пїЅ These medicines can reduce the risk of a heart attack or stroke. They are used to lower cholesterol levels in the body. Many people with high triglycerides also have high cholesterol.

The medicine you take will depend on your triglyceride levels and other factors. If your triglycerides are very high, you might need more than one medicine. пїЅ пїЅ

Can I lower my triglycerides without medicines? " пїЅ Yes, you might be able to lower high triglycerides if you: пїЅ пїЅ

Lose weight (if you are overweight)
Get regular exercise
Avoid foods and drinks with a lot of sugar and carbohydrates - These include white bread, fruit juice, soda, and sweets.
Avoid red meat, butter, fried foods, cheese, oils, and nuts " пїЅ This can help if your triglycerides are over 500.
Limit alcohol " пїЅ In you are a man, have 2 drinks a day or less. If you are a woman, have 1 drink a day or less. If your triglycerides are over 500, ask your doctor or nurse if it is safe to drink alcohol.

All topics are updated as new evidence becomes available and our peer review process is complete. пїЅ пїЅ

This topic retrieved from UpToDate on: Nov 04, 2014. пїЅ пїЅ

Topic 86012 Version 4.0 пїЅ пїЅ

Release: 22.8 - C22.208 пїЅ пїЅ

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you.The use of UpToDate content is governed by the UpToDate Terms of Use. пїЅ пїЅ2014 UpToDate, Inc. All rights reserved. пїЅ пїЅ

High Triglycerides

The Basics

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

Copyright