Boosting ‘good’ cholesterol always important for heart
health
A new study suggests the
beneficial effects of ‘good’
cholesterol may not be as well defined when ‘bad’ cholesterol
is reduced by taking high-dose
statins. But we say ‘good’ cholesterol is
always important for your heart health.
Our cardiac nurse, Cathy Ross, said: “The
results of this study show that the protective value of ‘good’
(HDL) cholesterol may be lost in this particular group of patients.
However, there is still much we don’t know about the different
roles it plays in why we get heart and circulatory disease.
“The research also highlights the important
role that high-dose statins play in reducing
heart attacks and strokes by lowering harmful cholesterol
(LDL).
“This doesn’t mean people should ignore HDL
cholesterol though, as we know it plays an important
protective role in helping people who do not have
cardiovascular disease already.
“By taking control of your own health and
increasing your HDL levels, you can reduce your chance of having a
heart attack and having to take statins in the first place. Eating
a diet high in fruit and vegetables and low in
saturated fat as well as taking part in regular
physical activity, which can boost HDL by up to five per cent,
are good ways to do this.”
The study is published in The Lancet.
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