Hypertriglyceridemia history and symptoms


 * Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Priyamvada Singh, M.B.B.S. [mailto:psingh@perfuse.org]

Overview
Mild to moderate hypertriglyceridemia are usually asymptomatic. However, patients with triglycerides levels greater than 1000-2000 mg/dL can present with symptoms like recurrent abdominal pain (suggestive of pancreatitis or chylomicronemia syndrome) and eruptive xanthomas.

Symptoms

 * Usually asymptomatic
 * Recurrent abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting in patients with severe and uncontrolled hypertriglyceridemia (suggestive of pancreatitis)
 * Eruptive cutaneous xanthomatas (benign condition)
 * History of recurrent episodes of abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, memory loss, headache, vertigo, dyspnea, and paresthesias suggestive of chylomicronemia syndrome.

History
Proper history taking is important in diagnosis of hypertriglyceridemia. Thus the following history should be actively inquired for:


 * Family history of the condition
 * Personal history of premature coronary artery disease (Premature coronary artery disease is defined as occurrence of a myocardial infarction or coronary-artery procedure before 55 years of age for men and 65 years of age for women)
 * Family history of premature coronary artery disease
 * Drug history