title: Low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and cardiovascular disease: risk reduction with statin therapy.
abstract: A low level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) is a major risk factor for cardiovascular disease; however, patients with low levels of HDL-C without raised low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels are not currently eligible for lipid-lowering therapy. Many individuals with low levels of HDL-C have a combination of cardiovascular risk factors that include high LDL particle concentrations. Lowering LDL particle concentration and its surrogate measure, LDL-C, is an important approach to reducing cardiovascular risk. Statins are the most effective agents for lowering levels of LDL and can significantly increase levels of HDL-C. Extending statin therapy to patients with low levels of HDL-C but with LDL-C levels below target may have benefits for cardiovascular disease reduction in these patients.
authors.affiliation: Preventive Cardiology Center, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA. r-rosenson@northwestern.edu
authors.forename: Robert S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Rosenson
mesh_terms: D000069059:Atorvastatin; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008076:Cholesterol, HDL / Q000097:blood* / Q000502:physiology; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL / Q000097:blood / Q000145:classification / Q000502:physiology; D003324:Coronary Artery Disease / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D006538:Heptanoic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008148:Lovastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D010316:Particle Size; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D017035:Pravastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012307:Risk Factors; D019821:Simvastatin / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D008076:Cholesterol, HDL; D008078:Cholesterol, LDL; D006538:Heptanoic Acids; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D011758:Pyrroles; D008148:Lovastatin; D000069059:Atorvastatin; D019821:Simvastatin; D017035:Pravastatin