Table 3 National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP) III treatment goals in patients with raised plasma triglycerides (modified from Jacobson et al 96)
Serum triglyceride categoryATP III criteriaTreatment goalsTreatment algorithm117
Normal<1.7 mmol/l––
Borderline1.7–2.2 mmol/lAchieve LDL cholesterol targetsWeight reduction, smoking cessation, exercise, reduce alcohol intake, moderate carbohydrate intake
High2.3–5.5 mmol/lPrimary: achieve LDL cholesterol targets Secondary: achieve non-HDL targetsLifestyle changes as above plus drugs to attain LDL and non-HDL cholesterol targets, manage hyperglycaemia
Very high>5.5 mmol/lPrimary: prevent pancreatitis Secondary: prevent CVDLifestyle changes with very low fat diet (<15% of calories) if risk of pancreatitis plus triglyceride lowering drug therapy including fish oil

  • CVD, cardiovascular disease; HDL, high density lipoprotein; LDL, low density lipoprotein.