A review of observational studies on the relationship between cholesterol and coronary heart disease

Abstract

The likelihood that an association observed in epidemiological studies is one of cause and effect is often evaluated using criteria first put forward by Bradford Hill. The evidence on whether abnormal concentrations of cholesterol and lipoproteins in the blood plasma cause coronary heart disease (CHD) is considered using Bradford Hill's criteria. Evidence from observational studies, backed by evidence from clinical, animal and laboratory studies, leaves no doubt that a high plasma cholesterol concentration is a cause of CHD.