Do Triglycerides Clog Arteries?

Triglycerides have taken a back seat to cholesterol because information linking triglyceride blood levels to artery hardening, heart attack and stroke was scanty. Now evidence implicates triglycerides as bearing some responsibility for clogging arteries and having a hand in heart attacks and strokes.

Do triglycerides blocked arteries?

High triglycerides may contribute to hardening of the arteries or thickening of the artery walls (arteriosclerosis) — which increases the risk of stroke, heart attack and heart disease. Extremely high triglycerides can also cause acute inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Does high triglycerides cause plaque in arteries?

The data strongly suggest that triglycerides are a causal factor in CAD. Exactly how triglycerides may contribute to coronary artery disease is still undetermined. LDL cholesterol is known to cause CAD by contributing to the build-up of “plaque” along the artery walls.