Triglycerides, like low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterols, do not carry a great reputation. They are not cholesterols, but are lipids that store energy as fats in the adipose (ie, fat) tissue.¹ High levels of triglycerides are associated with increased risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases.² Even though triglyceride molecules themselves are not usually found in atherosclerotic plaques in arteries, having high levels of triglycerides (hypertriglyceridemia) is often associated with high levels of atherogenic cholesterols such as LDL cholesterol. Triglyceride levels vary greatly based on food intake and thus testing should be done after fasting.

What Is a Healthy Level of Triglycerides? 

The standard fasting triglyceride levels according to the guidelines are as follows:³ 

As high triglyceride levels are linked to high LDL levels associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease, it is optimal to have triglyceride levels below 150 mg/dL.

What Do I Do If I Have High Triglycerides? 

Guidelines suggest that the primary treatment focus for individuals with mild hypertriglyceridemia should be achieving target LDL cholesterol levels.³ Losing weight and increasing physical activity should be emphasized to reach cholesterol goals. For those with high triglyceride levels of 200-499 mg/dL, additional drug therapies including intensification of LDL-lowering drugs and adding nicotinic acid or fibrate can be considered. In rare cases of very high triglyceride levels of >500 mg/dL, primary focus of therapy should be to lower triglyceride levels to reduce risk of acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). This approach includes consuming very low-fat diets (<15% of daily caloric intake), losing weight, increasing physical activity, and using triglyceride-lowering drugs (eg, nicotinic acid or fibrate).  

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