Triglycerides are fats found in the blood, and are the body's main source of stored energy. When they become elevated, the condition is called hypertriglyceridemia. Triglycerides come from foods, and are also manufactured in the liver. Hypertriglyceridemia can cause atherosclerosis and pancreatitis. Triglycerides can be lowered by making lifestyle changes. If changes in lifestyle are unsuccessful, medications may be prescribed.
Symptoms
Chest pain occurs when triglycerides elevate to an extreme level. Chest pain can be a precursor to a heart attack. Heart attacks manifest in different ways. For some people, the pain may be felt in the neck, shoulders, arms, back or jaw. For others, the symptom may be the sensation of pressure to the left side of the chest. The left arm is a common location for pain.
Pancreatitis can develop when triglycerides are elevated to extreme levels. It is unclear why pancreatitis develops, but researchers suspect that low-density particles may obstruct blood capillaries during events of hypertriglyceridemia. Acute pancreatitis is marked by pain that is sometimes severe. The pain may be accompanied by fatigue, fever, nausea, a swollen abdomen and rapid heart rate.
Strokes occur when there is an interruption of the supply of blood to part of the brain. Classic signatures of a stroke are weakness to the face, arm or leg, usually on one side of the body. Confusion, slurred speech, trouble seeing, trouble walking, a dizzy sensation, lack of coordination and a severe headache are also signs that a stroke has occurred.
Xanthomas occur in small groups. They are very small, yellow skin eruptions that usually occur on the back, buttocks, heels, knees, elbows and chest.
Lipemia retinalis is a condition in which the eyes appear milky due to elevated triglycerides. Once the triglycerides are brought under control, the milky appearance is reversed.
Risk Factors for Elevated Triglyceride
Lifestyle factors that increase the risk of developing hypertriglyceridemia include eating foods high in saturated fat and cholesterol, obesity, smoking and heavy alcohol use.
Hereditary risk factors that may cause elevated triglycerides include inherited hypertension, low levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) blood cholesterol, a family history of heart disease and type I diabetes.
Tips
Reducing saturated fat intake, controlling carbohydrates, losing weight, quitting smoking and reducing alcohol consumption can lower your risk of developing hypertriglyceridemia.
