High triglyceride level is associated with severe coronary artery disease in hypertensive subjects

Background. The contribution of triglycerides (TG) to the extent of coronary artery disease (CAD) in hypertensive patients remained unclear. Methods. Consecutive 821 (aged 64.5±11.5 years, 482 males) hypertensive patients undergoing coronary angiography were included. The relationship of TG levels (<150 vs. ≥150 mg/dl) to the extent of CAD in all patients was examined by multiple logistic regression, adjusting for other CAD risk factors. In the lipid group, low levels of HDL were also adjusted. Results. Higher levels of TG were found in subjects with severe CAD compared to those with no or minimal CAD. The adjusted odds ratios for high levels of TG in the severe CAD subgroup versus the no or minimal CAD subgroup were 5.20 (95% CI, 3.13 to 8.63) in all patients and 7.51 (95% CI, 3.19 to 17.65) in the lipid group. Conclusions. High levels of TG are strong clinical markers of greater extent of CAD in hypertensive subjects undergoing coronary angiography. The results may have clinical relevance for physicians in therapeutic decision making.