Clinical Spotlight Series: Hypertriglyceridemia & CV Health-2. Spectrum of HTG and Metabolic Implications (Ideal to Moderate HTG 100 to 499 mg/dL)

2. Spectrum of HTG and Metabolic Implications (Ideal to Moderate HTG 100 to 499 mg/dL)

Video Transcription

Video Summary

The talk reviews triglycerides across the full spectrum, focusing on hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) 100–499 mg/dL and its metabolic implications. Population medians are ~120 mg/dL; fasting triglycerides <100 indicate favorable cardiometabolic health and lower long-term cardiovascular and diabetes risk. Triglyceride-related cardiovascular risk rises up to ~800–1,000 mg/dL then plateaus, yet most trials target 150–500. Mechanistically, elevated triglycerides reflect increased remnant particles and apoC-III activity, promoting inflammation, endothelial dysfunction, insulin resistance, fatty liver, and atherosclerosis. Guidelines emphasize ruling out secondary causes, intensive lifestyle changes (reduce sugars, alcohol, fat; add resistance training; weight loss), prioritize LDL lowering, and consider icosapent ethyl for selected patients (REDUCE-IT).

Keywords

hypertriglyceridemia

triglycerides

cardiovascular risk

apoC-III

icosapent ethyl