Ask the doctor: Do I need to worry about high triglycerides if I have normal cholesterol?

Q. My cholesterol is normal, but my triglyceride level is high. Should I be concerned?

A. This is certainly worth discussing with your doctor and taking action, if necessary. Like cholesterol, triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood. Even when cholesterol levels are normal, high triglycerides increase the risk of developing heart disease, especially in postmenopausal women. High triglyceride levels are often correlated with low levels of HDL, or "good" cholesterol, and high levels of LDL, or "bad" cholesterol.

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