Severe Hypertriglyceridemia

Hypertriglyceridemia is a common condition, which is defined as having a high level (above 150 mg/dL) of triglycerides, a type of fat, in the bloodstream.¹ Hypertriglyceridemia can lead to conditions including atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries), obesity, and insulin resistance, which all can contribute to increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).^1,3 There are more than 2.1 million adults in the United States with severe hypertriglyceridemia (SHTG),⁴ which is defined as having a triglyceride level over 500 mg/dL.² In addition to increasing the risk of CVD, SHTG is also a known risk factor for acute pancreatitis, a life-threatening condition.^5,6

Risk factors for SHTG can include genetic disorders, obesity, untreated diabetes, and certain medications.⁷

While SHTG often causes no noticeable symptoms, individuals with extremely high levels of triglycerides (greater than 2,000 mg/dL) can experience recurrent abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, xanthomas (yellow-colored bumps on the skin), and acute pancreatitis.^1,4

SHTG is typically diagnosed after a routine blood test called a lipid profile.¹ The National Cholesterol Education Program recommends that everyone have a lipid profile done every five years beginning at the age of 20.¹ However, for people with or at risk for coronary heart disease, it’s recommended to have a lipid profile done yearly.¹

There are many ways to prevent and treat SHTG. Lifestyle changes that can impact SHTG include lowering fat and carbohydrate intake, reducing alcohol consumption, and quitting smoking.¹ For some people, lifestyle changes aren’t enough to reduce triglycerides to the appropriate levels, leaving them at risk for additional complications.¹ In these cases, there are pharmacological therapies that can reduce triglyceride levels to healthier levels.¹

The goal of medical treatment for SHTG is to reduce triglyceride levels in order to reduce the risk of CVD and acute pancreatitis.⁵ Statins can be used to reduce triglycerides, but nearly one-third of people taking this type of treatment still have high triglyceride levels.⁴ Pfizer scientists aim to address SHTG by developing new therapeutic approaches that can improve reduction of triglycerides in the bloodstream to help further minimize the impact of this serious condition.