The link between high triglyceride levels and heart disease is not as well established as the link between high cholesterol and heart disease. According to some studies, a high triglyceride level is an independent risk factor for heart disease in some people. 4 High homocysteine levels have been identified as an independent risk factor for heart disease. 5 Homocysteine can be measured by a blood test that must be ordered by a healthcare professional. 6 Glucose intolerance and diabetes constitute a separate risk factor for heart disease.
Smoking increases the risk of heart disease caused by hypertension.
7 Overweight individuals are more likely to have additional risk factors related to heart disease, specifically hypertension , high blood sugar levels, high cholesterol , high triglycerides , and diabetes . Preliminary evidence has linked salt consumption with increased cardiovascular disease incidence and death among overweight, but not non-overweight, people. 8 Intervention trials are required to confirm these preliminary observations. Both smoking 9 and exposure to second-hand smoke 10 increase cardiovascular disease risk. Moderate alcohol consumption appears protective for heart disease 11 and moderate exercise protects both lean and obese individuals from cardiovascular disease.