Epidemiology of hypertriglyceridemia and cardiovascular disease

Epidemiologic studies provide increasing evidence that hypertriglyceridemia is a risk factor for cardiovascular disease. A meta-analysis of 17 populat ion-based studies of triglyceride levels and cardiovascular disease identif ied a 76% increase in cardiovascular disease risk in women and a 31% increa se in men associated with a 1 mmol/L increase in triglyceride levels. Addit ional epidemiologic studies have shown that plasma triglyceride levels and low-density lipoprotein particle sire predict subsequent coronary artery di sease. Taken together, the existing epidemiologic data may help identify a group of patients who may benefit from interventions aimed at decreasing tr iglyceride levels associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disea se. (C) 1999 by Excerpta Medica, Inc.