13 May HDL May Be Overrated as Independent Risk Factor for Heart Disease

MedicalResearch.com Interview with:

Dr. Michael Miller

Michael Miller, MD, FACC, FAHA
Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine, Epidemiology & Public Health
University of Maryland School of Medicine
Staff Physician, Baltimore VAMC
Director, Center for Preventive Cardiology
University of Maryland Medical Center
Baltimore, Maryland

MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study?
Dr. Miller: It has become an article of faith that HDL (the good cholesterol) is an independent risk factor for heart disease. However, previous studies did not examine the importance of HDL after accounting for both LDL (bad cholesterol) and triglycerides (blood fats).  This is important because HDL is associated with LDL and triglycerides. We hypothesized that if HDL is truly an independent risk factor, then low HDL levels in isolation would continue to be linked to an increased risk of heart disease while high HDL levels would continue to protect the heart even if LDL and triglycerides levels were elevated.

MedicalResearch.com: What are the main findings?

Dr. Miller: Our results disproved our hypothesis.  Low HDL in isolation was no longer linked to an increased risk of heart disease while high HDL was no longer cardioprotective if LDL and triglycerides levels were elevated.

MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?

Dr. Miller: HDL has been overrated as an independent risk factor for heart disease.

MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?

Dr. Miller: If you have low HDL but have normal triglycerides and LDL (both less than 100), your risk of heart disease is low provided you don’t smoke, do not have hypertension, do not have diabetes and manage daily stressors as detailed in my book “Heal Your Heart: The Positive Emotions Prescription to Prevent and Reverse Heart Disease” (Rodale).

MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?

Response: MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.

Citation:

Jacquelaine Bartlett, Irene M. Predazzi, Scott M. Williams, William S. Bush, Yeunjung Kim, Stephen Havas, Peter P. Toth, Sergio Fazio, Michael Miller. Is Isolated Low High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol a Cardiovascular Disease Risk Factor? Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes, 2016; CIRCOUTCOMES.115.002436 DOI:10.1161/CIRCOUTCOMES.115.002436

Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.

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Last Updated on May 13, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD