Study: HDL Unimportant With Very Low LDL

People with very low levels of “bad” cholesterol (LDL) may not be helped by higher levels of “good” cholesterol (HDL), a study suggests. Researchers looked at both these types of blood fats in people who take powerful statin drugs. They used data from a study that gave rosuvastatin (Crestor) to people with average to low “bad” cholesterol. A similar group received placebo (fake) pills instead. Many people who received Crestor ended up with extremely low “bad” cholesterol. In the next five years, people who took Crestor had only half the heart attack and stroke rate as people who got the placebo pills. In this new study, researchers looked at “good” cholesterol levels for the same people. Among those who received Crestor, having a high level of “good” cholesterol made no difference in their heart attack or stroke risk.