[Elevated triglyceride level]

Statins have revolutionized the treatment of hypercholesterolemia and radically reduced the mortality from disease. If the triglyceride level is notably high and causes the risk of pancreatitis, immediate drug therapy is advantageous. A secondary cause that should be treated, such as overweight, diabetes, use of alcohol, hypothyroidism or medication may underlie a moderately elevated triglyceride level. A moderately elevated triglyceride level occurs commonly as part of type 2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome, whereby elucidation of arterial disease risk is most important alongside a modification of living habits. Strong end-point evidence favours statins as the first-line therapy in hypertriglyceridemia.