High triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood that doctors find in many patients. Having too much can increase your risk of heart problems and a serious condition called pancreatitis. This guide helps doctors in Australia manage patients with high triglycerides using the latest science. The main approach involves lifestyle changes like eating better, exercising, drinking less alcohol, and losing weight if needed. Doctors may also prescribe medications like statins or a newer drug called icosapent ethyl. For very high triglycerides, more aggressive treatment is recommended to prevent serious complications.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How doctors should identify and treat patients with high triglycerides (a type of fat in the blood) to prevent heart disease and pancreatitis
  • Who participated: This is a clinical guidance paper for general practitioners in Australia treating patients with high triglycerides; it reviews best practices rather than testing specific patients
  • Key finding: High triglycerides are common and often caused by treatable factors like diet, weight, and alcohol use. Lifestyle changes are the foundation of treatment, with medications added based on how high the levels are and whether someone has heart disease
  • What it means for you: If your doctor tells you that you have high triglycerides, expect them to first recommend diet changes, exercise, and weight loss. Depending on your situation and heart disease risk, they may add medications. Very high levels need more aggressive treatment to prevent serious complications.

The Research Details

This is a clinical practice guide, not a traditional research study. It reviews current scientific evidence and expert recommendations for how Australian doctors should manage patients with high triglycerides. The authors looked at the latest research on what causes high triglycerides, how to identify them, and what treatments work best. They considered both lifestyle approaches and medications, including newer options now available in Australia. The guide focuses on practical steps that general practitioners (family doctors) can take in their offices to help patients.

This type of guidance is important because it helps doctors make consistent, evidence-based decisions about treating high triglycerides. Since high triglycerides are common and can lead to serious health problems, having clear recommendations helps ensure patients get the right treatment at the right time. The guide also helps doctors know when to refer patients to specialists for more complex cases.

This is a clinical practice guide based on current evidence and expert consensus, not a research study testing new treatments. It represents the best current thinking from medical professionals in Australia about managing high triglycerides. The recommendations are based on established research and real-world experience treating patients. However, individual patients may need different approaches based on their specific situation.

What the Results Show

The guide emphasizes that high triglycerides often have underlying causes that can be fixed, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, excess weight, or drinking too much alcohol. Identifying and addressing these causes is the first step in treatment. Lifestyle changes—eating healthier foods, exercising regularly, reducing alcohol, and losing weight—are the foundation of treatment and should be tried first.

For patients who need medication, statins (a common cholesterol drug) can help lower triglycerides and reduce heart disease risk. A newer medication called icosapent ethyl is now available in Australia and is recommended for patients who already have heart disease and have mild-to-moderate high triglycerides, even if they’re taking statins.

For patients with very high triglycerides (above 5.6 mmol/L), more aggressive treatment combining lifestyle changes and multiple medications is recommended to prevent pancreatitis, a serious inflammation of the pancreas. These patients may need to see a specialist for more complex management.

The guide notes that some people have genetic causes of high triglycerides that run in families. These cases may require specialist care and genetic testing. The guide also emphasizes the importance of cardiovascular risk assessment—doctors should evaluate each patient’s overall heart disease risk before deciding on treatment, as this affects which medications are recommended.

This guide represents current best practices and incorporates recent changes in Australian healthcare, including the availability of icosapent ethyl through the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (a government program that helps pay for medications). It builds on established approaches to managing high triglycerides while incorporating newer treatment options and emphasizing the importance of identifying secondary causes rather than assuming all cases are genetic.

This is a clinical guidance document, not a research study, so it doesn’t present new experimental data. The recommendations are based on existing research and expert opinion, which means individual patients may respond differently. The guide is specific to Australian healthcare and medications available there, so recommendations may differ in other countries. Patients should discuss their individual situation with their doctor, as treatment needs to be personalized based on their specific triglyceride levels, heart disease risk, and other health conditions.

The Bottom Line

If you have high triglycerides: (1) Start with lifestyle changes—eat a healthier diet (less sugar and refined carbs), exercise regularly, limit alcohol, and lose weight if needed. These changes alone can significantly lower triglycerides. (2) If lifestyle changes aren’t enough after 3-6 months, talk to your doctor about medications like statins. (3) If you have heart disease or very high triglycerides, ask about additional medications like icosapent ethyl. (4) If your triglycerides are very high (above 5.6 mmol/L) or if high triglycerides run in your family, ask your doctor about seeing a specialist. Confidence level: High for lifestyle recommendations; moderate-to-high for medication recommendations depending on individual circumstances.

Anyone who has been told they have high triglycerides should pay attention to this information. People with heart disease, diabetes, obesity, or a family history of high triglycerides should be especially interested. This is also relevant for people who drink heavily or eat a diet high in sugar and refined carbs. Your doctor can tell you if these recommendations apply to you specifically.

Lifestyle changes can start lowering triglycerides within 2-4 weeks, with more significant improvements over 3-6 months. If medications are needed, they typically start working within weeks, but full benefits may take 6-12 weeks. Very high triglycerides may require more intensive treatment and closer monitoring. Talk to your doctor about realistic timelines for your specific situation.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your triglyceride levels every 3-6 months (as recommended by your doctor) and log them in the app. Also track lifestyle factors: daily exercise minutes, alcohol drinks per week, and weekly weight. This helps you see how your behaviors affect your triglyceride numbers over time.
  • Use the app to set and track three specific goals: (1) Exercise goal (e.g., 150 minutes per week), (2) Dietary goal (e.g., reduce sugary drinks or refined carbs), and (3) Alcohol limit (if applicable). Set weekly reminders and log your progress daily to build consistent habits.
  • Create a dashboard showing your triglyceride trend over time alongside your lifestyle metrics. Set alerts to remind you when it’s time for your next blood test. Use the app to share your tracking data with your doctor at appointments to discuss whether your current treatment plan is working.

This information is based on clinical guidance for healthcare providers and is intended for educational purposes only. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. High triglycerides require individualized assessment and management by your healthcare provider. Do not start, stop, or change any medications without consulting your doctor. If you have been diagnosed with high triglycerides, work with your healthcare team to develop a treatment plan appropriate for your specific situation, health history, and risk factors. This guidance is specific to Australian healthcare and may not apply in other countries.