Plasma triglyceride as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease

Area of Science:

• Cardiovascular Epidemiology
• Lipid Metabolism
• Preventive Cardiology

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease (CVD) remains a leading cause of mortality worldwide.
• The role of plasma triglyceride levels in CVD risk prediction, independent of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, requires clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate whether plasma triglyceride levels predict cardiovascular disease risk independently of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels.

Main Methods:

• A meta-analysis of 17 prospective population-based studies (over 57,000 participants, men and women) published between 1965 and 1994.
• Relative risks (RR) for cardiovascular disease associated with triglyceride levels were estimated and standardized.
• Weighted average RRs were calculated, with and without adjustment for HDL cholesterol.

Main Results:

• Increased triglyceride levels were associated with a significantly higher risk of cardiovascular disease in both men (RR=1.32) and women (RR=1.76).
• The association remained statistically significant in men even after adjusting for HDL cholesterol (adjusted RR=1.14).
• In women, the triglyceride-CVD association also remained significant after HDL cholesterol adjustment (adjusted RR=1.37).

Conclusions:

• Elevated plasma triglyceride levels are an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease.
• Further clinical trials are essential to determine the efficacy of lowering plasma triglyceride levels in reducing cardiovascular disease risk.