Triglycerides are the most common type of lipid in your body. They come from fatty foods such as butter and from unused calories that your body stores in fat cells. When your body needs energy, it gets it from triglycerides. You do need some triglycerides to be healthy, but you don't want too many.Studies have consistently linked high triglyceride levels to heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke, especially in people with low levels of "good" HDL cholesterol and those with . So if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or other things that make you more likely to get heart disease, your doctor will likely want to keep a check on your triglyceride levels.The good news is that there's a lot you can do on your own to lower your triglyceride levels and improve your health.High Triglycerides and Low HDLHDL (high-density lipoprotein) is the "good" cholesterol. It helps remove "bad" cholesterol, or LDL (low-density lipoprotein) from your bloodstream. Cholesterol is a waxy compound found in your cells that is carried through your bloodstream via proteins called lipoproteins.Having high levels of HDL is associated with a lower risk of heart disease. High levels of LDL can clog the walls of your blood vessels, which may lead to a heart attack or stroke.Triglycerides and HDL are usually inversely related. That means the higher your number of triglycerides, the lower your HDL. And the higher your HDL, the lower your triglycerides. But it's possible to have high triglyceride levels without having low HDL. Research shows that high triglycerides are a risk factor for heart disease regardless of your HDL level.What Causes High Triglycerides?Some of the risk factors for high triglycerides include:Being overweight or obeseNot getting enough exerciseEating foods that are high in fat or sugarDrinking too much Taking medications for HIV, breast cancer, and rarely, high blood pressureLiving with HIVBeing of South Asian ancestry (from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and other countries in the region)Having a disorder that prevents the body from breaking down lipids (fats, cholesterol, etc.)Having conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, thyroid disease and liver diseaseTesting TriglyceridesA blood test called a lipid panel checks both your triglyceride and cholesterol levels. Usually, your doctor will tell you to fast (meaning you should not eat or drink anything other than water) for 9-12 hours before the test. You’ll get blood taken from a vein in your arm. Some labs offer non-fasting lipid panels, or they may prick your finger for blood.Here are the levels based on a fasting blood test:Normal: Less than 150 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL)Borderline: 150-199 mg/dLHigh: 200-499 mg/dLVery high: 500 mg/dL or aboveAnyone over age 20 needs to get regular tests to track their cholesterol and triglyceride levels, according to the American Heart Association.What Level of Triglycerides Is Dangerous?Anything above 500 mg/dL is considered very high. Very high levels of triglycerides are associated with liver and pancreas problems.Triglyceride levels above 1,500 mg/dL are considered extremely high and may cause the body to stop breaking down fats. This may result in memory loss, liver and spleen swelling, and stomach pain.High triglycerides tend to show up along with other problems, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, high levels of LDL cholesterol, and low levels of HDL cholesterol. Research now shows that increased triglyceride levels are associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular events such as heart attacks and strokes, so steps should be taken to bring them down.How to Reduce TriglyceridesFinding out that you have high triglycerides might be upsetting. But there's a lot you can do on your own to lower them. Making changes to your lifestyle can have a dramatic benefit. Here are some suggestions:Get more physical activity. can have a big impact on triglyceride levels. Experts advise that everybody should get at least 30 minutes of exercise five times a week. If you're out of shape, start slowly. Begin with a quick walk three times a week and then build up from there.Lose some weight. If you're overweight or obese, shed a few pounds and try to maintain an ideal body weight. Exercise will help, but you also need to focus on diet. The key is to eat fewer calories -- whether they come from fats, carbs, or protein. Focus on a diet that's high in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and low-fat dairy products. Cutting down on sugary foods, such as sodas, could help, too. Choose better fats. Pay more attention to the fats you eat. Eat fewer foods with unhealthy fats (found in meat, butter, and cheese), trans fats (in processed foods and margarines), and cholesterol. Eat more healthy monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fats, which are found in olive oil, nuts, and some fish. Studies suggest that the omega-3s in fatty fish -- such as tuna, salmon, mackerel, and sardines -- are particularly good at lowering triglyceride levels. Because even healthy fats are high in calories, you still need to eat these foods in moderation.Cut down on alcohol. Even small amounts of alcohol seem to cause big spikes in triglyceride levels. Limit yourself to one alcoholic drink a day.High Triglycerides MedicationsPeople with heart disease and high triglycerides may need medication to bring down their levels.Fibrates can lower triglycerides. They modestly improve cholesterol levels, too.Fish oil with omega-3 fatty acids can help keep triglycerides under control. Ask your doctor whether you should use prescription fish oil. Omega-3 acids from plant sources such as flaxseed may help, too.Niacin (nicotinic acid)can lower triglycerides by up to 50%. It's available as a nonprescription supplement and as a prescription drug.Statins can reduce triglycerides levels by 20%-40%. If you take statins to lower your cholesterol level, you'll get this side benefit.Bempedoic acid, a new cholesterol-lowering drug, is an option when statins don't work. A study showed it lowered triglycerides by 15%. Remember that to stay healthy and keep your triglycerides down, you still have to focus on improving your lifestyle.When you talk to your doctor, discuss all of the medicines, supplements, and vitamins you take. Some common drugs, such as beta-blockers, birth control pills, and diuretics, can raise triglyceride levels as a side effect.High Triglycerides DietA healthy diet can help lower your triglyceride levels. This means limiting fatty and sugary foods and eating lots of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and fatty fish.Foods to eat with high triglyceridesThese foods will help lower triglyceride levels:Whole-grain breads and cerealsBrown riceOatsDried peas and beans (chickpeas, pinto beans, black beans, etc.)Small amounts of vegetable oil (olive, canola, or safflower oils)AvocadosNuts and seedsNut buttersFatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines -- twice a week)Colorful fruits and vegetables (broccoli, Brussels sprouts, carrots, red peppers, watermelon, berries, cantaloupe, etc.)Foods to avoid with high triglyceridesLimit high-fat and high-sugar foods, including:CookiesCandySodaIce creamPastriesSports and energy drinksFruit juices that are high in sugarButterBeef, pork, and lambFried foodsWhole milk and 2% milkTakeawaysWhen it comes to cholesterol and triglycerides, perhaps the most important thing is to get regular screenings. See your doctor and get your lipid profile done. If your triglycerides are high, you and your doctor can decide on a treatment plan -- medications, changing your eating habits, and exercising can bring those levels down.High Triglycerides FAQsHow often should my triglycerides be tested?If you’re a healthy adult, you should get a lipid profile every 4-6 years. Children should have it done at least once between the ages of 9 and 11, and one more time between 17 and 21. If you’re making changes to your diet or taking medication for high cholesterol or triglycerides, get a lipid profile afterward.Are high triglycerides worse than high cholesterol?Both increase the risk of heart attack and stroke. However, changing your diet or taking a statin to lower your high cholesterol will likely lower your high triglycerides as well.Can high triglycerides cause fatigue?High triglycerides usually don't cause any symptoms. But if they aren't treated and you get heart disease, then you may feel tired as a side effect.SourcesUpdate HistorySharePrintSOURCES:Abourbih, S. American Journal of Medicine, October 2009.Circulation: "Triglycerides and the risk of coronary heart disease: 10,158 incident cases among 262,525 participants in 29 Western prospective studies."Mayo Clinic: "Triglycerides: Why do they matter?" "HDL cholesterol: How to boost your 'good' cholesterol."American Association for Clinical Chemistry/Lab Tests Online: "Triglycerides."Medscape: "Hypertriglyceridemia."National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute: "High Blood Triglycerides," "Metabolic Syndrome: Symptoms."Harvard Health Publishing: "Should you worry about high triglycerides?"National Lipid Association: "Lifestyle Changes to Reduce Triglycerides."UMass Chan Medical School Center for Applied Nutrition: "LOWERING YOUR TRIGLYCERIDES."CDC: "LDL and HDL Cholesterol and Triglycerides."Journal of the American Heart Association: "High Triglycerides Are Associated With Increased Cardiovascular Events, Medical Costs, and Resource Use: A Real‐World Administrative Claims Analysis of Statin‐Treated Patients With High Residual Cardiovascular Risk."Frontiers in Cardiovascular Medicine: "Mechanism of action and therapeutic use of bempedoic acid in atherosclerosis and metabolic syndrome."SharePrintNext In OverviewShow more articles More on Cholesterol Management Recommended FEATURED Top doctors in , Find more top doctors on Search Related LinksPoliciesAboutFor Advertisers © 2005 - 2025 WebMD LLC, an company. All rights reserved. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. , Having high triglycerides but low cholesterol can result from factors such as diet, medications, and larger health problems. Let's look deeper., Triglycerides, a fat in your blood, could increase your risk of liver and pancreas problems. Learn about triglyceride testing and how to lower high levels..