Did your recent blood test show high triglyceride levels? You’re not alone—elevated triglycerides are a growing health concern in the UAE, often linked to obesity, diabetes, and poor diet habits. If left unmanaged, high triglycerides can significantly increase your risk of heart disease, strokes, and even pancreatitis. But the good news? With the right lifestyle changes, you can lower your levels and protect your heart naturally.
Triglycerides are a type of fat in your blood that stores unused calories for energy. While some fat is essential, excessive triglycerides—above 150 mg/dL (1.7 mmol/L)—can lead to clogged arteries, metabolic disorders, and severe inflammation. Understanding what causes high triglycerides and how to manage them is key to maintaining long-term heart health.
In the UAE, where fast food consumption, sedentary lifestyles, and high sugar intake are common, many people unknowingly have elevated triglyceride levels. Leading cardiology clinics, such as Dubai Heart Centre, emphasize that even a 10% reduction in weight can significantly lower triglycerides and reduce cardiovascular risks.
Medical experts recommend that fasting triglyceride levels remain below 150 mg/dL. However, when levels exceed 200 mg/dL (2.3 mmol/L), the risk of heart complications increases sharply. At 1,000 mg/dL (11.3 mmol/L) or higher, the risk of pancreatitis—a life-threatening condition—becomes critical.
What Are Triglycerides?
Triglycerides are fats (lipids) found in your blood that store extra calories from meals. They travel through your bloodstream as very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL cholesterol) and give energy to your body after eating or during physical activity.
Excess sugars, fats, or alcohol you eat can change into triglycerides stored in fat cells for later use. Higher than normal levels of triglycerides are called hypertriglyceridemia—this is a type of dyslipidemia linked to greater heart disease risk, stroke risk, pancreatitis, diabetes and insulin resistance issues across the UAE population.
Triglycerides vs Cholesterol
While triglycerides store excess calories, cholesterol builds cells and hormones—both vital, yet distinct substances affecting your heart-health differently. The table below clearly summarises their differences:
| Feature | Triglycerides | Cholesterol |
| Main Role in Body | Stores unused calories, provides energy when needed | Builds cells, produces hormones, aids digestion |
| Source | Mainly from dietary fats, sugars and excess calories | Mostly produced by liver; also obtained from animal-based foods |
| Type of Fat | Primary form of fat in food and body fat stores | A waxy fatty substance found in all body cells |
| Risk Factors if Elevated | High levels increase cardiovascular disease risk; very high levels can cause pancreatitis (pancreatic inflammation) | Excess LDL (“bad cholesterol”) contributes to arteriosclerosis, heart attacks |
| Healthy Levels (Adults) | Below 150 mg/dL ideal; over 200 mg/dL considered high | Total cholesterol below 200 mg/dL desirable; LDL below 100 mg/dL optimal |
| Testing Conditions | More accurate when fasting for 9-12 hours before test | Can be measured fasting or non-fasting (fasting provides more accurate LDL readings) |
Healthy Triglyceride Levels
Knowing your triglyceride number from a lipid panel test helps you protect your heart—read on to learn what counts as a healthy range and why it matters.
Normal ranges for adults
A healthy triglyceride level is important for managing cardiovascular risk factors. Normal ranges for adults are less than 150 mg/dL (less than 1.7 mmol/L) in fasting triglyceride tests, which are part of a lipid profile blood test commonly used in the UAE to screen heart health and potential stroke risks.
Triglyceride results above this normal range signal increased chances of insulin resistance, diabetes or even pancreatitis if levels reach very high at 500 mg/dL (5.7 mmol/L) or more.
Levels from 150–199 mg/dL (1.8–2.2 mmol/L) indicate borderline risk, while values between 200–499 mg/dL (2.3–5.6 mmol/L) mean a clearly elevated concern needing medical attention and lifestyle changes such as diet management or regular exercise to reduce cardiovascular disease threats effectively.
Keeping your triglycerides low protects your heart.
Fasting vs non-fasting triglycerides
Doctors measure triglycerides through a lipid panel test, either fasting or non-fasting. Fasting means you avoid food and drinks (except water) for around 8 to 12 hours before the blood test, ensuring accurate triglyceride measurements.
UK national guidelines state fasting levels should stay below 1.7 mmol/L; non-fasting ratings must remain under 2.0 mmol/L. Non-fasting tests can offer convenience, as they don’t need planning ahead—important for busy healthcare seekers in the UAE—but readings may slightly differ from fasting ones due to recent meals, especially after high sugar intake or fatty foods.
Healthcare providers often suggest fasting tests if previous results showed high triglycerides or lower accuracy is risky—for example, with diabetes and triglycerides issues or risks of pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease.
Each method gives key insights into blood lipids management; your doctor in Dubai or Abu Dhabi will guide which suits your personal situation best to monitor your heart health clearly.
Now let us explore common causes that raise triglyceride levels: diet choices, lifestyle habits and medical conditions.
Causes of High Triglycerides
High triglycerides can result from diet, daily habits, genetics or certain health issues—read on to understand what raises your levels.
Diet and lifestyle factors
Diet and lifestyle habits greatly impact triglyceride levels and heart health. Eating high-calorie meals, loaded with sugars, simple carbohydrates, and saturated fats, swiftly raises triglycerides in your blood.
For example, sugary treats like pastries and sodas or heavy dishes popular at buffets across Dubai can quickly lead to obesity—and obesity directly pushes up triglycerides. Excessive alcohol intake also sharply boosts these harmful fat levels by affecting fatty acid metabolism.
A sedentary life further worsens this issue; spending long hours inactive—whether working behind office desks or relaxing too often on the sofa—increases risks linked to insulin resistance and triglycerides.
A lack of regular exercise makes managing weight harder while adding stress on your liver function as well. To protect yourself from cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis or stroke risk connected to raised triglycerides, commit daily time for moderate exercise such as brisk walking along Abu Dhabi’s Corniche—or cycling around city parks—with a balanced diet low in sugars and unhealthy fats.
Medical conditions and genetics
Medical conditions can greatly affect triglyceride levels. Obesity, type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, and metabolic syndrome commonly lead to high triglycerides. Thyroid disorders, such as hypothyroidism, slow down the body’s metabolism, raising triglyceride numbers as well.
Liver disease also disrupts fat management and adds to this issue.
Genetics play a key role in determining your lipid panel test outcomes. Problems like familial hypertriglyceridaemia cause very high triglycerides from an early age. Familial combined hyperlipidaemia could mean high cholesterol and raised triglycerides occur together in families.
Other rare genetic issues—like type 3 hyperlipidaemia and familial chylomicronaemia syndrome—also put people at greater risk of cardiovascular disease, pancreatitis, and stroke through extremely elevated triglyceride levels.
Risks Associated with High Triglycerides
High triglycerides can raise your risk of serious health problems like heart disease and stroke—read on to understand the dangers clearly.
Cardiovascular disease
Cardiovascular disease involves problems in your heart and blood vessels, often caused by unhealthy triglyceride levels. Too many triglycerides build fatty deposits in arteries—known as atherosclerosis—which limits blood flow.
This raises stroke risk and chances of having coronary artery disease or peripheral artery disease. Also, high triglycerides usually happen alongside low HDL cholesterol (the good type), linked closely to early heart diseases like carotid artery disease and metabolic syndrome.
Lowering your numbers through diet changes, exercise for triglyceride reduction, healthy weight loss habits, alcohol reduction and medical treatment can protect you from life-threatening issues down the line.
Pancreatitis
High triglycerides not only harm your heart health; they can also lead to pancreatitis. Pancreatitis is a serious condition, marked by inflammation of your pancreas. Extremely high triglycerides—usually above 1000 mg/dL (11.3 mmol/L)—can trigger sudden attacks of pancreatic pain and discomfort.
Common symptoms include sharp stomach pains, nausea, vomiting, and fever. Severe cases need urgent medical care in hospitals such as Mediclinic City Hospital or Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi for proper treatment.
If you’ve had pancreatitis due to raised triglyceride levels before, it’s vital you manage them carefully through dietary changes and medications prescribed by heart specialists in UAE.
A low-carb diet or Mediterranean diet rich in omega-3 fats from fish like salmon helps bring down triglycerides naturally and lowers the risk of further episodes. Limit alcohol intake since drinking raises both lipids and adds stress to your pancreas too:.
Reducing alcohol consumption significantly cuts the risk of pancreatitis linked with high triglycerides, advises Dr Adel Al Sisi, cardiologist at Dubai Heart Centre.
Regular lipid panel tests offered across clinics in Dubai or Abu Dhabi ensure you stay aware of your numbers—and protect yourself against future health risks like stroke risk associated with untreated high triglyceride issues.
How to Lower Triglycerides
You can lower triglycerides through careful diet, controlled weight and proper medical care—read on to find simple tips you can try today.
Dietary changes
Eating right can make a big difference to triglycerides and heart health. Limit sugar and refined carbohydrates, like white bread or sugary drinks. Pick healthier fats, such as olive oil, canola oil, or omega-3-rich fish like salmon.
Foods high in fibre—like oats, beans, fruits and vegetables—also help lower triglycerides naturally.
Cutting down alcohol is vital for reducing triglyceride levels; avoid it completely if your levels are very high or you have liver issues. A Mediterranean diet—with whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats—is highly recommended as the ideal triglyceride-lowering diet.
Making these simple changes sets the stage for improved exercise and weight management.
Exercise and weight management
Alongside dietary changes, regular physical activity can greatly improve triglyceride management. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise, like brisk walking or cycling, most days of the week.
Physical activity helps burn calories, leading directly to weight loss and lower levels of triglycerides. A healthy body weight reduces obesity and triglycerides risk factors together, improving heart health overall.
Even a modest weight loss—just five to ten percent—can significantly decrease stroke risk linked with high cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Consistent exercise combined with controlled calorie intake is one of the most effective natural ways to lower triglycerides long-term for heart-conscious individuals in the UAE.
Medications and supplements
Doctors may prescribe medications for high triglycerides if lifestyle changes alone aren’t enough. Statins such as atorvastatin or rosuvastatin lower triglycerides and LDL cholesterol, especially for those with poor cholesterol ratios or past heart problems.
Other options include fibrates like fenofibrate or gemfibrozil, used mainly to reduce very high triglycerides—but they’re not safe for people with severe kidney or liver disease.
Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil supplements can also help; stronger prescription-strength versions like Lovaza are often given by doctors to manage triglyceride levels effectively.
Niacin (nicotinic acid), another supplement, lowers both LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels but must be taken under medical guidance due to possible side effects. Before starting any medication plan, consult a healthcare expert specialising in heart health—such as the best heart specialists in UAE—to find out suitable treatments covered by UAE insurance coverage for cholesterol tests and treatment programmes available in Abu Dhabi or Dubai.
Conclusion
Managing triglycerides can greatly protect your heart and overall health. Simple changes like eating high-fibre foods, choosing the Mediterranean diet and exercising often can lower unhealthy fats effectively.
Medications such as statins or niacin might help if lifestyle actions alone aren’t enough. Regular lipid panel tests are easily available in Dubai and Abu Dhabi to track levels accurately.
Start today—taking charge of triglycerides means fewer strokes, healthier arteries and a happier life ahead!
Also, Read:
- Elevated triglyceride levels can lead to fatty liver disease, making it essential to manage dietary fats and overall metabolism.
- High triglycerides are a key risk factor for diabetes and heart disease, especially in women, requiring lifestyle and dietary modifications.
FAQs for Triglycerides
Dr. Aisha Rahman is a board-certified internal medicine specialist with over 12 years of clinical experience in chronic disease management and preventive healthcare. She has worked at leading hospitals across the UAE, helping patients manage conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, and metabolic disorders.
A strong advocate for preventive medicine, Dr. Rahman emphasizes early diagnosis, lifestyle modifications, and patient education to reduce chronic illness risks. She is an active member of the Emirates Medical Association and has contributed to health awareness programs and medical research initiatives. Her expertise has been featured in The National UAE, Gulf Health Magazine, and leading medical journals. As a keynote speaker at healthcare conferences, she shares insights on evidence-based treatments, patient-centered care, and advancements in internal medicine.
Dr. Omar Al-Farsi is a clinical nutritionist and medical researcher with over 15 years of experience in dietary science, metabolic disorders, and preventive healthcare. He has served as a senior consultant for UAE healthcare authorities and contributed to public health initiatives focused on nutrition education and disease prevention.
Dr. Al-Farsi has collaborated with leading hospitals, research institutions, and universities in the UAE, ensuring that health information is scientifically accurate and evidence-based. His research has been published in Gulf Medical Journal, Dubai Health Review, and WHO Nutrition Reports, making significant contributions to nutrition science and public health awareness.