According to many epidemiological studies, elevated triglyceride levels during fasting and after a meal constitute an independent risk factor for the development of cardiovascular diseases.

The Framingham Heart Study, after 30 years of follow-up, shows a correlation between increased cardiovascular risk and increased triglyceride levels. The association was stronger in women.

Hokanson and Austin’s study of 46,413 men and 10,864 women, and the Copenhagen City Heart study and the Asia Pacific Cohort Studies Collaboration confirmed the correlation between elevated plasma triglyceride levels and the risk of vascular disease. This association persisted even after adjustment for low-density lipoprotein levels.

The Copenhagen City Heart Study, which followed 14,000 Danes over a 26-year period, found that triglyceride levels (with normal meal consumption) were associated with cardiovascular disease in both sexes. It also found that when triglyceride levels were ≥ 440 mg/dl during fasting, there was a 17-fold increased risk of heart attack in women and a 5-fold increased risk in men.

The Asia Pacific Cohort Studies yielded results in the form of conclusions about the relationship between triglyceride levels during normal meal consumption and prediction of the development of cardiovascular diseases.

The following studies (…):

• European Atherosclerosis Society [1]
• American Heart Association Scientific Statement [2] and
• Expert panel [3]

(…) led to the conclusion that, according to currently available data, there is much evidence to suggest that a high level of plasma triglycerides (both during fasting and normal meal intake) increases the risk of vascular diseases.

Bibliography:
1. ESC/EAS Guidelines for the management of dyslipidemias: the Task Force for the management of dyslipidemias of the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) and the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS). European Association for Cardiovascular Prevention & Rehabilitation, Reiner Z, et al. Eur Heart J. 2011 July;32(14):1769-818.
2. Miller M, et al. Triglycerides and cardiovascular disease: a scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2011 May 24;123(20):2292-333.
3. Kolovou GD, Mikhailidis DP, Kovar J, Lairon D, Nordestgaard BG, Ooi TC, Perez-Martinez P, Bilianou H, Anagnostopoulou K, Panotopoulos G. Assessment and clinical relevance of non-fasting and postprandial triglycerides: an expert panel statement . Curr Vasc Pharmacol. 2011 May;9(3):258-70