If you are hoping to lower your risk of a heart attack simply by raising your levels of “good” cholesterol—high-density lipoproteins (HDLs)—you may be disappointed. Although epidemiological studies point to HDLs as protective against heart disease, a new genetic analysis presented at the meeting shows that while high HDL might correlate with a healthier heart, it’s not itself responsible for lowering heart attack risks.
Reported by: Dr. V.S.Karra, Ph.D
It is interesting to inquire whether research results such as “while high HDL might correlate with a healthier heart, it’s not itself responsible for lowering heart attack risks” will have an impact on the modalities currently used in the pharmacotherapy of hyperlipidemia. The approach to lower the total cholesterol and the level of LDL is aimed on increasing HDL. If high levels of HDL will be found not to have a protective role for a healthier heart, then the ratio of HDL to LDL which is at present time a critical indicator for prescribing Statins, the entire market segments for hyperlipidemia drug therapy may have to under go a drastic change implying market shrinkage for Statins.