Do elevated triglycerides cause heart disease and strokes?
We do know that elevated triglycerides are linked to other abnormally elevated lipids and this may be responsible for the association between hypertriglyceridemia (elevated triglycerides) and coronary heart disease and strokes. We don’t know with certainty that elevated triglycerides are an independent risk factor for coronary artery disease and strokes. What are the causes of triglyceride elevation (hypertriglyceridemia)? Triglycerides levels can rise to abnormally high levels when someone eats a diet rich in carbohydrates (starches, sugar and alcohol) and/or saturated fats. This is especially true in women who are obese and don’t exercise. High triglyceride levels are also found in the following: Diabetes Kidney disease Familial dyslipidemias (genetic) Hypothyroidism Estrogen replacement therapy Tamoxifen What are the recommendations if my triglycerides are elevated? The answer is that it depends on your other risk factors for heart disease and strokes as well as how elevated. With t
