Plasma triglyceride （TG） exists mainly in chylomicron particles and very low density lipoprotein （VLDL）. Triglyceride-rich lipoprotein （TRL） in the body is on behalf of the level of TG in plasma，its metabolic process is affected by some factors such as diet，enzymes，transcription factors，gene mutation and microRNA. Metabolic disorders of TRL will cause high TG level. A large number of epidemiological studies have shown that TG level relates with atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease （CVD） closely. Therefore，this article focuses on the current views on relationship of TG and CVD and its proatherogenic mechanism，in order to make clear the important function and meaning of TG in the development of atherosclerosis and provide a new theoretical basis for the prevention and cure of CVD with TG-lowering therapy.