Is it time to focus more energy on raising high-density lipoprotein levels?
Low HDL cholesterol levels have been found to be a risk factor for CAD. To date, the focus of treating hyperlipidemia has been on lowering LDL cholesterol levels. Now, as more and more compelling data are reported, it is time to begin focusing more energy on how to raise HDL cholesterol levels. If exercise, smoking cessation, and moderate alcohol consumption fail to achieve HDL cholesterol goals, niacin, fibric acid derivatives, or statin drugs may prove helpful in patients at high risk of CAD.
