Triglycerides are used to store extra energy from our diet.

High levels of triglycerides may be associated with atherosclerosis, but the connection is not as clear as the association between high triglycerides and obesity, sedentary lifestyle, alcohol consumption, and a high-carbohydrate diet (more than 60 percent of total calories).

Some genetic disorders also are associated with high triglycerides and high LDL choelsterol and low HDL cholesterol.

Lipoprotein A cholesterol is a genetic variation of bad LDL cholesterol, but it isn’t well understood. It is believed to interact with other substances in artery walls to build up fatty deposits.

Women have higher levels of HDL than men do, which offers some protection from heart risk.

High HDL with normal LDL and triglyceride levels is actually cardio protective, and you can do a lot to create this kind of cholesterol picture.