Person—triglyceride level (measured), total millimoles per litre N[N].N

Implementation start date: 01/07/2013

DSS specific information:

A relationship between triglyceride and High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and chronic heart disease (CHD) event rates has been shown. This view is supported by the observation that the remnants of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are the particles that occur in dysbetalipoproteinaemia, a condition associated with a very high risk of premature atherosclerotic vascular disease. There have been two comprehensive reviews of the relationship between plasma triglyceride and CHD (see Criqui et al. 1993 and Austin et al. 1991). Criqui concludes that triglyceride is not an independent predictor of CHD and is probably not causally related to the disease, while Austin provides a compelling case for a causal role of (at least) some triglyceride rich lipoproteins. Conclusions drawn from population studies of the relationship between plasma triglyceride and the risk of CHD include the following:

• an elevated concentration of plasma triglyceride (> 2.0 mmol/L) is predictive of CHD when associated with either an increased concentration of LDL-C or a decreased concentration of HDL-C.
• the relationship between CHD risk and plasma triglyceride is not continuous, with evidence that the risk is greatest in people with triglyceride levels between 2 and 6 mmol/L (Lipid Management Guidelines - 2001, MJA 2001; 175: S57-S88. National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand).

It is likely that the positive relationship between plasma triglyceride and CHD, as observed in many population studies, is because an elevated level of plasma triglyceride in some people is a reflection of an accumulation of the atherogenic remnants of chylomicrons and very Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL). These particles are rich in both triglyceride and cholesterol and appear to be at least as atherogenic as LDL.

DSS specific information:

A relationship between triglyceride and High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and chronic heart disease (CHD) event rates has been shown. This view is supported by the observation that the remnants of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are the particles that occur in dysbetalipoproteinaemia, a condition associated with a very high risk of premature atherosclerotic vascular disease. There have been two comprehensive reviews of the relationship between plasma triglyceride and CHD (see Criqui et al. 1993 and Austin et al. 1991). Criqui concludes that triglyceride is not an independent predictor of CHD and is probably not causally related to the disease, while Austin provides a compelling case for a causal role of (at least) some triglyceride rich lipoproteins. Conclusions drawn from population studies of the relationship between plasma triglyceride and the risk of CHD include the following:

• an elevated concentration of plasma triglyceride (> 2.0 mmol/L) is predictive of CHD when associated with either an increased concentration of LDL-C or a decreased concentration of HDL-C.
• the relationship between CHD risk and plasma triglyceride is not continuous, with evidence that the risk is greatest in people with triglyceride levels between 2 and 6 mmol/L (Lipid Management Guidelines - 2001, MJA 2001; 175: S57-S88. National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand).

It is likely that the positive relationship between plasma triglyceride and CHD, as observed in many population studies, is because an elevated level of plasma triglyceride in some people is a reflection of an accumulation of the atherogenic remnants of chylomicrons and very Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL). These particles are rich in both triglyceride and cholesterol and appear to be at least as atherogenic as LDL.

DSS specific information:

A relationship between triglyceride and High-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C) and chronic heart disease (CHD) event rates has been shown. This view is supported by the observation that the remnants of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins are the particles that occur in dysbetalipoproteinaemia, a condition associated with a very high risk of premature atherosclerotic vascular disease. There have been two comprehensive reviews of the relationship between plasma triglyceride and CHD (see Criqui et al. 1993 and Austin et al. 1991). Criqui concludes that triglyceride is not an independent predictor of CHD and is probably not causally related to the disease, while Austin provides a compelling case for a causal role of (at least) some triglyceride rich lipoproteins. Conclusions drawn from population studies of the relationship between plasma triglyceride and the risk of CHD include the following:

• an elevated concentration of plasma triglyceride (> 2.0 mmol/L) is predictive of CHD when associated with either an increased concentration of LDL-C or a decreased concentration of HDL-C.
• the relationship between CHD risk and plasma triglyceride is not continuous, with evidence that the risk is greatest in people with triglyceride levels between 2 and 6 mmol/L (Lipid Management Guidelines - 2001, MJA 2001; 175: S57-S88. National Heart Foundation of Australia and the Cardiac Society of Australia and New Zealand).

It is likely that the positive relationship between plasma triglyceride and CHD, as observed in many population studies, is because an elevated level of plasma triglyceride in some people is a reflection of an accumulation of the atherogenic remnants of chylomicrons and very Low-density Lipoprotein (LDL). These particles are rich in both triglyceride and cholesterol and appear to be at least as atherogenic as LDL.