Schaefer - Figure 2 - HDL-C as CHD risk factor
It has been known for many years that low serum levels of high-density
lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol are a significant risk factor for
cardiovascular disease (CVD). As shown in the Figure, data from
the Framingham Heart Study reveal that when the serum HDL cholesterol
level is <35 mg/dL, then:
- in men, CVD risk increases by about 50%
- in women, CVD risk increases by over 200%
compared with the “normal risk” levels in individuals with “normal” HDL
levels between the ages of 35 and about 60 years. After the age of 60
years, CVD risk decreases by about 40% in both men and women. In other
words, there is both a substantial gradient of risk associated with low
HDL levels and a degree of protection associated with high HDL levels.
Schaefer E.
J Clin Lipidol.
2011; 5(6).
