Many people are unaware that their triglyceride (trig) levels are too high because the condition has no actual symptoms. Most people learn that they have high trigs through a routine blood test, such as a fasting lipid panel. However, many people who get their cholesterol checked aren’t getting their triglycerides checked at the same time.
High trig levels alone don't produce symptoms. But if coronary heart disease develops, symptoms may include:
- Chest pain
- Heart attack
- Stroke
When trig levels are extremely high, you may also experience:
- Cholesterol deposits called xanthomas—these fatty deposits may form just below the skin under the eyes and look like yellowish streaks
- Nodules on the elbows or knees
- Multiple skin eruptions that are yellowish and pimple-sized
The American Heart Association recommends that everyone over the age of 20 have his or her triglyceride and cholesterol levels checked every five years.