What are the risks of high triglyceride levels?
Recent studies are suggesting that an elevated triglyceride level probably is an independent risk factor for heart disease, even if your cholesterol is normal. Elevated triglyceride levels have also been associated with diabetes and pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas). Often, the HDL-Cholesterol (“Good Cholesterol”) level will be low in people with high triglycerides. A low HDL level (below 35) is also an independent risk factor for heart disease. What causes high triglyceride levels? Elevated triglyceride levels may have several causes: • Weight gain. Triglyceride levels usually increase as your weight increases. • Excess calories, especially from sugar and alcohol. Alcohol increases your liver’s production of triglycerides and reduces the amount of fat cleared from your blood. • Age. Triglyceride levels steadily increase as you grow older. • Medications. Certain drugs, such as birth control pills, steroids, and diuretics (water pills) can cause triglyceride levels to rise. •
