High-density polyethylene

High Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) found in your blood. When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn't need to use right away into triglycerides. The triglycerides are stored in your fat cells. Later, hormones release triglycerides for energy between meals.

Causes

High triglycerides might be caused by obesity, sedentary lifestyle, smoking, excessive alcohol use, and a diet very high in carbohydrates (more than 60 percent of total calories). Underlying diseases or genetic disorders are sometimes the cause of high triglycerides. People with high triglycerides often have a high total cholesterol level, including a high LDL cholesterol level (bad cholesterol) and a low HDL cholesterol level (good cholesterol).

Risks

High triglycerides may contribute to hardening of the arteries or thickening of the artery walls (atherosclerosis) — which can increase the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease. Extremely high triglycerides can also cause acute inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Treatment

Treatment includes lifestyle changes such as diet, weight loss, and physical activity. If these measures are not enough, you may need to take medication or even have insulin injections. The goal is to lower the level of triglycerides in your blood to reduce your risk of heart disease.

See Also

• Cholesterol
• Heart Disease
• Obesity
• Diabetes