Final answer:
Triglycerides become the primary target when exceeding 500 mg*dL due to the elevated risk of pancreatitis, and can cause other health issues like cardiovascular disease. Medications such as fibrates and statins are used alongside dietary changes to manage high levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
When triglycerides are >500 mg*dL, they become the primary target of therapy due to the increased risk of pancreatitis. Triglycerides, a type of fat found in your blood, are a key energy source between meals. However, when their levels rise too high, they contribute to the greater risk of metabolic syndrome, characterized by conditions like abdominal obesity, high blood pressure, high blood glucose levels, and low high-density lipoprotein (HDL) levels, leading to cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Treatment of high triglyceride levels often begins with dietary modifications, but when levels surpass 500 mg*dL, medications such as fibrates, statins, and potentially other lipid-lowering agents may be necessary to reduce the risk of pancreatitis and atherosclerotic disease.