Atlanta— Pharmacists who fill prescriptions for medications to raise high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol every day might be surprised by the results of a new study presented recently at the European Society Cardiology ESC Conference in Munich, Germany. Emory University School of Medicine researchers reported at the meeting that very high HDL cholesterol levels appear to be associated with an increased risk of heart attack and death. However, the results from this study and others suggest that this may no longer be the case.
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Get helpful tips and guidance for everything from fighting inflammation to finding the best diets for weight loss Stay on top of latest health news from Harvard Medical School. Recent Blog Articles. Health news headlines can be deceiving. Why is topical vitamin C important for skin health? Preventing preeclampsia may be as simple as taking an aspirin. Caring for an aging parent? Some experts are now talking about a U-shaped relationship, in which both very low and very high HDL levels may be harmful.
Some scientists now believe that genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors may affect the way HDL accumulates in the body and how it behaves, and that some of these effects could be harmful to some people. However, it is still unclear whether this happens and, if so, who it affects and why. In , some researchers found that people who had recently had a heart attack with high levels of both HDL and a substance called C-reactive protein were at higher risk of having another cardiac event.
The liver produces C-reactive protein when inflammation occurs in the body. Some experts believe that, in certain conditions, HDL particles may take on inflammatory properties rather than protecting a person from inflammation. The authors of a review note that the protective features of HDL depend not only on how much HDL is present but also on the way it behaves in the body. A study with the same lead author suggested that functionality — how HDL works — could be even more significant than circulating HDL levels.
A research article discusses a rare genetic change that may cause exceptionally high HDL levels. It occurs in a molecule known as SR-BI. The change affects the way HDL works in the body, and it can lead to high levels of HDL and an increased risk of heart disease. Some participants with these high levels had this rare genetic feature.
While researchers continue to investigate this field, experts still recommend focusing on managing the known risks for cardiovascular disease, including reducing LDL levels.
The first step to healthy cholesterol levels is for people to take a test and discuss the results with a doctor, who will also consider their individual risk factors. The CDC advises most adults to have a cholesterol test every 4—6 years but more often if they have diabetes, heart disease, or a family history of high cholesterol.
The CDC also recommends testing for children at some time between the ages of 9 and 11 years and again at 17—21 years. The CDC lists desirable levels as follows:. However, various factors will affect what is healthy for each person. A doctor will work with the individual to make a plan for maintaining or establishing suitable levels.
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