Description
The role of high density lipoprotein as a major
independent risk factor is now generally accepted. The expert
group on high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C)
recommend interventions to raise HDL-C in appropriate
patient groups irrespective of the need to treat low density
lipoprotein (LDL-C). The renewed attention on HDL-C
is due to the emergence of an important syndrome with low
HDL-C often occurring with other risk factors such as high
triglyceride, trunchal obesity and insulin resistance. This
syndrome is both increasingly common and strongly
implicated in the growing worldwide epidemic of type 2
diabetes. Epidemiological observations and clinical trials
support that low HLD-C concentrations predict increased
CHD risk. Raising HDL-C concentration by exercise,
weight loss, cessation of smoking and by pharmacological
means is beneficial.
