Hypertriglyceridemia is one of the pathological conditions represented by high levels of triglycerides in the blood, which increases the risk of heart disease. Triglycerides are the main form of energy storage in the body, meaning that they are a source of energy for the body.
Hypertriglyceridemia is a symptom of metabolic syndrome that increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes or stroke.
Symptoms of hypertriglyceridemia
Hypertriglyceridemia is not accompanied by any specific symptoms, but certain symptoms may appear in cases where its levels are very high, and it may cause the following:
Incidence of coronary artery disease at an early age.
Hypertension.
Fatty accumulations under the skin (Xanthomas).
Causes and risk factors for hypertriglyceridemia
There are many causes of hypertriglyceridemia, including the following
Excess obesity.
Untreated diabetes.
Hypothyroidism.
Kidney disease and renal failure.
Consuming more calories than the body needs.
Excessive alcohol consumption.
In addition, taking some medications may increase the level of blood triglycerides, such as the following:
Tamoxifen.
Steroids from different groups (Steroids).
Beta blockers.
Diuretics, such as: Furosemide.
Estrogen.
Contraceptive pills.
Complications of hypertriglyceridemia
High blood triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of many diseases, such as the following:
Various heart and brain diseases: This is due to the occurrence of clots resulting from the accumulation of blood triglyceride levels.
Diabetic neuropathy: It is a disease in which damage occurs in one of the nerves responsible for a function in the body.
Pancreatitis and fatty liver disease: The accumulated fat causes various infections and diseases that affect the functioning of the liver.
Diagnosis of hypertriglyceridemia
Triglyceride levels are measured simply by taking a blood sample from the patient, and the values indicate the following:
Normal value: less than 150 milligrams/dL.
The cut-off value: 150-199 mg/dL.
High value: 200 to 499 milligrams/dL.
A very high value: 500 mg/dL or more.
Treatment of hypertriglyceridemia
The treatment of hypertriglyceridemia aims to control the factors that may lead to high levels of triglycerides in the blood, such as: excess obesity and diabetes, as treatment can include the following:
Diet modification
Blood triglyceride levels are affected by the human diet. Therefore, patients who suffer from hypertriglyceridemia should consult a nutritionist to obtain a balanced and sound diet, with the necessity of persevering in physical activity, which may help maintain normal levels of blood triglycerides.
Avoid drinking alcohol
It is recommended to reduce the amount of alcoholic beverages consumed to a minimum, as these drinks are a source of excess calories and increase the density of fats in the blood vessels.
Avoid smoking
Smoking is prohibited in cases of hypertriglyceridemia, as it increases the risk of blockage of blood vessels and prevents the proper and normal flow of oxygenated blood.
If blood triglyceride levels remain high despite changes in diet, drug treatment may be necessary.
Prevention of hypertriglyceridemia
Hypertriglyceridemia can be prevented by the following
Adopt a balanced diet and increase physical activity.
Regular lipid profile checks, especially if there are risk factors for hyperlipidemia.
Consult a doctor about preventive treatment of the disease.
