Even if your cholesterol level is under control, high triglycerides may signal a risk of heart disease.

If your cholesterol levels are being monitored, your doctor will probably also be looking at triglycerides - another kind of blood fat. Even when cholesterol is normal, triglycerides may be raised and so pose a risk to the heart.

But, according to doctors at the Mayo Clinic, you can do quite a lot to lower triglyceride levels. Sometimes cutting back on sugary foods is all you need to do. Of course, it helps to lose any excess weight and it's good to aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise a day. Increase your intake of omega-3 fatty acids to beat high triglycerides. Good sources are mackerel, lake trout, herring, sardines, albacore tuna, and salmon. If your triglyceride levels don't return to normal after following these guidelines, it might be necessary to consider medication.

Source

Mayo Clinic Health Letter September 2002