Raising low levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol is an important target of therapy

Abstract

Recent clinical trials in patients with coronary heart disease indicate, for the very first time, that increasing low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol significantly reduces the cumulative occurrence of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in patients whose only lipid abnormality was low HDL with normal levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglycerides. These data provide a compelling scientific basis for a more targeted and segmental approach to managing patients with dyslipidemia, where decreasing elevated levels of LDL cholesterol and increasing low levels of HDL cholesterol should comprise dual targets of pharmacotherapy.