Raising HDL Levels May Not Lower Heart Attack Risk
Raising HDL Levels May Not Lower Heart Attack Risk
May 16, 2012 -- It is widely believed that raising "good" cholesterol levels lowers heart attack risk, but surprising new research finds evidence that this may not be the case.
Genetic studies failed to show a link between higher concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lower heart attack risk.
Millions of people take statin drugs like Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol, and Zocor to lower their low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol. Studies have shown that high LDL levels are linked to an increase in heart attack risk.
But the benefits of increasing HDL are less clear, and studies of HDL-raising drugs have been largely disappointing.
Cholesterol 101: What Your Levels Mean
Genetic studies failed to show a link between higher concentrations of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and lower heart attack risk.
Millions of people take statin drugs like Crestor, Lipitor, Pravachol, and Zocor to lower their low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or "bad" cholesterol. Studies have shown that high LDL levels are linked to an increase in heart attack risk.
But the benefits of increasing HDL are less clear, and studies of HDL-raising drugs have been largely disappointing.
Cholesterol 101: What Your Levels Mean
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