High levels of high density lipoprotein, the supposedly healthy form of cholesterol, in the body are linked with significantly increased mortality risk, according to a Danish study.
Researchers at the University of Copenhagen say their findings suggest that high HDL levels should not be seen as a marker of good health.
Their findings suggest a doubled mortality rate for men with the highest levels of HDL – and a 68% increase in mortality for women with the highest levels.
Reported in the European Heart Journal, the findings come from a study of 116,000 people in Copenhagen over a period of six years. During this time there were 10,500 deaths.
Researcher Professor Børge Nordestgaard said: "These results radically change the way we understand good cholesterol.
"Doctors like myself have been used to congratulating patients who had a very high level of HDL in their blood. But we should no longer do so, as this study shows a dramatically higher mortality rate."
He added: "It appears that we need to remove the focus from HDL as an important health indicator in research, at hospitals and at the general practitioner.
"These are the smallest lipoproteins in the blood, and perhaps we ought to examine some of the larger ones instead. For example, looking at blood levels of triglyceride and LDL, the ‘bad’ cholesterol, are probably better health indicators."
European Heart Journal 23 August 2017
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