The case against triglycerides
Although the harmful effectsof certain lipids such as low-density lipoprotein cholesterol on the cardiovascular system are well established, the role of triglycerides in heart disease has been suspected but less clear. Now, a large-scale epidemiological study provides evidence that increased triglycerides are indeed associated with a greater risk of coronary artery disease.1The question now is whether the converse is true: Can lowering triglycerides protect against CAD?
Triglycerides are lipids consisting of several fatty acids linked to a glycerol molecule. They are the primary source of lipid-derived energy in the body and are transported through the blood in cholesterol-rich lipoprotein particles. In CAD, these particles accumulate as atherosclerotic plaques within the walls of the coronary artery, leading to myocardial infarction (MI)...