HDL levels predicts heart events

Levels of HDL (good) cholesterol can be used to predict major adverse coronary events, independent of other heart and circulatory risk factors. Researchers from the Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis found that currently, most guidelines only suggest following the bad (LDL) cholesterol. The lipid profile includes HDL, which should be considered as a separate risk factor and followed up. The researchers assessed the independent effect in everyday clinical practice of HDL cholesterol and its change over time on the occurrence of major adverse coronary events among nearly 7,000 adults. HDL cholesterol was significantly lower for patients who subsequently experienced a cardiac event, such as a heart attack, as compared to those who did not experience a cardiac event. But there was no significant difference in LDL cholesterol values between those with or without subsequent cardiac events. Higher values for total cholesterol and triglycerides were also associated with subsequent major adverse coronary events. In a multivariable analysis, HDL cholesterol was the only lipid measurement that significantly predicted coronary events. It was the third strongest predictor behind prior coronary heart disease and age. Each 10 mg/dL increase in the baseline HDL cholesterol value was associated with an 11 percent decrease in the risk of an acute coronary event. Similarly, a positive change of 10 mg/dL on follow-up was associated with a 7 percent lower risk of subsequent major adverse coronary events.