Having high triglycerides, also known as hypertriglyceridemia, means that there are elevated levels of triglycerides, a type of fat, in your blood

. This condition is often linked to other health issues that raise the risk of heart disease and stroke

. When you eat, your body converts unneeded calories into triglycerides, which are then stored in fat cells and released as energy between meals

. Consistently consuming more calories than you burn, especially from high- carbohydrate foods, can lead to high triglycerides

. A simple blood test, typically part of a cholesterol test or lipid panel, can determine if your triglyceride levels are high

. For an accurate measurement, you'll need to fast for 9 to 14 hours before the blood is drawn

. Triglyceride levels are categorized as follows

:

• Normal: Less than 1.6 mmol/L.
• Moderately high: 1.6 to 5.6 mmol/L.
• Very high: 5.6 mmol/L or higher.

High triglyceride levels usually don't cause symptoms, but in some genetic cases, fatty bumps may appear under the skin

. Extremely high levels of triglycerides can also cause acute inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis)

. High triglycerides may also contribute to the thickening or hardening of artery walls (arteriosclerosis), which elevates the risk of heart attack, stroke, and heart disease

. Multiple factors can cause high triglycerides

:

• Lifestyle: Consuming excess calories, sugars, fats, or alcohol

• Medical Conditions: Including, but not limited to, poorly controlled type 2 diabetes, obesity, thyroid diseases, kidney disease, and liver disease

• Medications: Certain medications like birth control, steroids, and blood pressure medications can increase triglyceride levels

• Genetic Disorders: Lipid disorders and genetic conditions can contribute to hypertriglyceridemia

• Women's Additional Risk Factors: Polycystic ovary syndrome and pregnancy can elevate triglyceride levels

Managing high triglycerides involves adopting a healthy lifestyle by controlling your weight, being physically active, limiting alcohol and sugary foods, and not smoking

. In some instances, your doctor may prescribe medication to lower your triglyceride levels